Truck Accident in Kangra District Claims Two Lives, 20 Injured

Two people from Bathinda, Punjab, were killed and 20 others injured when a truck carrying pilgrims overturned near Dhaliara in Kangra district on Tuesday, police reported. The pilgrims were on their way to serve at the langar (community kitchen) at Chamunda Devi Temple.

Six seriously injured pilgrims were referred to Tanda Medical College, while the others were admitted to Dehra Civil Hospital.

According to Dehra police, the truck driver lost control, causing the vehicle to collide with a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus traveling from the dharamshala to Hoshiarpur. The truck ultimately overturned near the Radha Swami Satsang Bhawan and fell into a ditch.

The accident occurred on a bend of National Highway-503 near Dhaliara. The truck was also carrying more than a dozen gas cylinders and other supplies for the langar service. Fortunately, none of the cylinders exploded during the incident.

The HRTC bus driver said, “After losing control, the truck collided with my bus. The truck driver attempted to flee, and some pilgrims jumped off the truck in panic. The bus passengers were transferred to another bus, and only one passenger sustained minor injuries.”

Kangra SP Mayank Chaudhary informed the media that over 20 pilgrims were on board the truck. Two lost their lives, and six others were referred to Tanda Medical College for treatment.