8 of family die as car falls into Kaithal canal
In an accident near Mundri village in Kaithal district, eight members of a family, including three women and five girls, lost their lives after their car plunged into a canal on Saturday, said the police.
Karamjeet alias Kala (40), a resident of Deeg village in the district, who was driving the car, survived the accident.
As per the police, nine members of the family of Karamjeet were travelling from Deeg village to Guhna village to attend Dasehra prayers at the Ravidas dera. The passengers included Karamjeet, his wife Darshna (38), mother Chameli Devi (68), his brother Parveen Kumar’s wife Sukhwinder (38), daughters Fiza (20), Vandana (15) and Komal (17) and nieces Ria (13) and Ramneet (7).
The accident occurred around 8.30 am when Karamjeet lost control of the car, plunging it into the canal.
Local villagers, upon witnessing the incident, rushed to the scene and, after significant efforts, managed to retrieve the car. While Karamjeet survived, seven family members were pulled from the water and declared dead after being transported to hospitals. Later in the evening, the body of Komal was recovered from the canal, taking the death toll to eight.
“The driver was rescued, but eight other occupants of the vehicle drowned," said DSP, Pundri, Lalit Kumar. He also mentioned that Karamjeet’s brother lives abroad. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination.
Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kalia said that they were investigating all angles of the accident, including possible brake failure. “We are thoroughly examining all aspects of the incident to determine whether it was an accident or due to a technical issue," said SP Kalia.
The tragedy has sparked widespread grief with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Haryana's caretaker Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini expressing their condolences on the social media platform X.
“The road accident in Kaithal, Haryana, is truly heart-breaking. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones in this tragic incident. May God give them the strength to bear this immense pain. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration is providing all possible assistance at the site," tweeted PM Modi.
Caretaker CM Nayab Singh Saini also expressed sorrow. “The tragic accident that claimed the lives of eight members of the same family, who were on their way from Deeg village to Guhna village to attend Dasehra prayers at the Ravidas dera, is truly heart-breaking. May Lord Ram grant eternal peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family. Officials of the district administration have been instructed to reach the site, provide all possible assistance and expedite relief efforts."
Hisar MP Kumari Selja and newly elected Kaithal MLA Aditya Surjewala also conveyed their grief. "I am deeply saddened by the untimely demise of eight members of the same family in the heart-breaking accident at the Mundri canal in Kaithal. May the Almighty grant peace to all the departed souls," said Selja.
Aditya Surjewala, newly elected MLA from Kaithal, said, “I am deeply saddened by the accident that occurred in Kaithal, claiming the lives of eight members of the same family. My heartfelt sympathies are with the grieving family during this difficult time. I pray to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed souls and strength to the family to bear this immense loss."
Villagers in deep shock
A pall of gloom descended on Kaithal’s Deeg village on Saturday as the news of the car accident broke. A car plunged into a canal near Mundri village, claiming lives of eight members of a family. Villagers came together in collective mourning, standing in solidarity with Karamjeet, the sole survivor of this devastating incident. The community gathered at Karamjeet's residence as well as outside the post-mortem house, offering support to the grieving family. Karamjeet, who survived the accident, is in deep shock and couldn’t speak after losing his entire family.
