9 labourers die in Karnataka road mishap

Belagavi (Karnataka), June 26

Nine labourers were killed on the spot and eight others critically injured after the goods vehicle they were travelling in fell into a stream early Sunday morning in a village here, the police said.

Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who was in Belagavi on Sunday, announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh from the state government and Rs 2 lakh from the Belagavi Deputy Commissioner to the next of kin of each deceased person.

While seven of them died on the spot, two others succumbed to their injuries in the hospital, the police said. The rescue operation was overseen by Belagavi Police Commissioner MB Boralingaiah who reached the spot in the morning.

The labourers hailing from Akkatangiyara Hala village in Gokak taluk were going to Belagavi when the vehicle fell into the “Ballari Nala” at Kanabaragi village in Belagavi.

The labourers were construction workers who were going to Belagavi. The vehicle fell into the stream after the driver lost control over it.

Eight persons were injured in the accident and one labourer is still in critical condition. The police rushed to the spot upon getting the information and pulled out the victims from beneath the vehicle with the help of local residents. The CM has ordered compensation and proper medical treatment to the injured.