3 killed, 3 injured in Kolaghat highway collision during Durga Puja
Synopsis
Three people died and three others were left in critical condition after a motorcycle and scooter collided on the Haldia-Mecheda highway in Kolaghat, East Midnapore, at 3 am on Saturday — a night when the riders had set out to see Durga Puja idols. None were wearing helmets, and poor lighting on the highway stretch is cited as a likely factor.
Key Takeaways
Three people were killed and three others critically injured in a two-wheeler collision on the Haldia-Mecheda state highway in Kolaghat, East Midnapore .
The crash occurred at approximately 3 am on Saturday, 18 October 2025 , during the Durga Puja festival period.
The victims had reportedly been travelling to view Durga Puja idol installations at the time of the accident.
None of the riders involved were wearing helmets , according to police.
The three injured are admitted to Tamluk Medical College and Hospital in critical condition.
Police have seized both vehicles and launched an investigation; poor lighting on the highway is a suspected contributing factor.
Three people were killed and three others critically injured early on Saturday, 18 October 2025, when a motorcycle and a scooter collided head-on on the Haldia-Mecheda state highway in Shantipur, under the Kolaghat police station area of East Midnapore district, West Bengal, according to district officials. The crash occurred at approximately 3 am, when visibility on the unlit stretch was reportedly poor.
What Happened on the Highway
According to local sources, the victims were out to view Durga Puja idol installations when the collision occurred. The impact was severe enough to twist both two-wheelers beyond recognition, officials said. None of the riders were wearing helmets at the time of the accident, according to police.
The accident temporarily blocked the Haldia-Mecheda state highway, disrupting traffic for a period before police restored order.
Rescue and Medical Response
Local residents launched rescue efforts immediately after becoming aware of the crash. Officers from Kolaghat police station reached the scene shortly after receiving the alert. The three injured were transported to Tamluk Medical College and Hospital, where they are reportedly in critical condition and undergoing treatment.
A district police officer said: 'We received information of an accident at around 3 am. We went to the spot and rescued the injured and sent them to Tamluk Medical College and Hospital. Some of them had died. Two two-wheelers have been brought to the police station. Investigation is underway.'
Who the Deceased Were
Of the three people who died, one was a resident of Ramchandrapur in the Kolaghat police station area, while the remaining two hailed from Srikrishnapur in the Nandakumar police station area, according to reports. The exact identities of the victims had not been officially confirmed at the time of reporting.
Investigation Under Way
Police have taken both vehicles into custody and initiated an investigation to establish the precise cause of the collision. Authorities have indicated that poor lighting conditions on the highway stretch were a likely contributing factor, though the probe is ongoing. This comes amid a period when road accident rates in India typically rise around festive seasons, as more people travel late at night and in the early morning hours. Road safety advocates have repeatedly flagged inadequate lighting on rural and semi-urban state highways as a persistent hazard.
Point of View
Often without protective gear, on poorly lit rural and semi-urban highways. The Haldia-Mecheda corridor has seen similar incidents before, yet highway lighting and enforcement of helmet laws remain inconsistent in East Midnapore. Three deaths during Durga Puja are a stark reminder that road safety governance does not pause for festivals — and neither do its consequences.
NationPress
17 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Kolaghat road accident on Saturday?
A motorcycle and a scooter collided head-on on the Haldia-Mecheda state highway in Shantipur, Kolaghat, at around 3 am on Saturday, killing three people and critically injuring three others. The victims were reportedly travelling to view Durga Puja idols when the crash occurred.
Where are the injured being treated?
The three injured were admitted to Tamluk Medical College and Hospital in East Midnapore district, where they are reported to be in critical condition and undergoing treatment.
Who were the deceased in the Kolaghat accident?
One of the three deceased was a resident of Ramchandrapur in the Kolaghat police station area, while the other two were from Srikrishnapur in the Nandakumar police station area, according to reports. Official identities had not been confirmed at the time of reporting.
What caused the Haldia-Mecheda highway collision?
Police have launched an investigation and the cause has not been officially established. However, authorities indicated that poor lighting on the highway stretch was a likely contributing factor. It has also been confirmed that none of the riders were wearing helmets at the time.
Is this kind of road accident common during Durga Puja?
Road accidents in India tend to rise during major festivals when large numbers of people travel late at night, often on poorly lit roads and without protective gear. Safety advocates have long flagged inadequate lighting on rural state highways as a persistent risk factor during festive seasons.
