What Caused the Ganesh Visarjan Tragedy? Death Toll Rises to Nine in Karnataka

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- The Ganesh Visarjan tragedy resulted in nine fatalities.
- Twenty people are currently receiving medical treatment.
- The negligence of the truck driver led to the accident.
- The Karnataka government has promised compensation for victims' families.
- Safety protocols need to be reinforced during public celebrations.
Hassan, Sep 13 (NationPress) The number of fatalities in the heartbreaking incident in Karnataka's Hassan district, where a truck loaded with goods struck participants of the Ganesh Visarjan procession, has increased to nine.
On Friday, twenty individuals were injured and are currently receiving treatment at various medical facilities.
Among the injured, three have been admitted to the ICU. Authorities have established a dedicated ward for the injured, who are under observation every 30 minutes.
South IGP M.B. Boralingaiah indicated that driver negligence was the primary cause of this tragic event.
The victims have been identified as Praveen, a final-year engineering student from Ballary; 17-year-old Rajesh from K.B. Palya near Halekote, Holenarasipura town in Hassan; 17-year-old Eshwar from Danayakanahalli Koppalu; 17-year-old Gokul from Muttigehirehalli; 25-year-old Kumara from Kabbinahalli; 25-year-old Praveen; 23-year-old Mithun from Gangapura village in Chitradurga district; 19-year-old Suresh from Manenahalli in Chikkamagaluru district; and 55-year-old Prabhakar from Bantarahalli in Hassan district.
Notably, Mithun had just celebrated his birthday on Friday and joined the Ganesh Visarjan procession with friends afterward. He was in his final year of studies and anticipated graduating in three months.
The accident took place on National Highway 373, on the segment connecting Hassan and Mysuru.
IGP Boralingaiah confirmed the tragic death toll of nine individuals. Of those deceased, six were locals, while three were students from Ballary, Chikkamagaluru, and Chitradurga. The driver's negligence was highlighted as the cause of the disaster.
The truck first collided with barricades before plowing through the crowd. The driver was also injured and is being treated at a private hospital. Legal proceedings have been initiated against him, according to the IGP.
Hassan SP Mohammad Sujitha mentioned that the incident occurred around 8 p.m. Initial investigations suggest that the driver was heading from Hassan toward Holenarasipura.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed his sorrow over the tragic accident involving the truck and the Ganesh Visarjan crowd, which resulted in nine fatalities and over twenty injuries.
"The government will provide compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased. Additionally, the government will cover the medical expenses for the injured in this incident," he announced.