Begusarai truck crash kills tempo driver, injures Kanwariyas on Sultanganj route
Synopsis
A Kanwar Yatra pilgrimage turned fatal in Begusarai, Bihar, when a speeding truck rammed into a broken-down CNG tempo whose passengers had stepped out to push it. The driver, identified as Kari of Bihat, died during treatment. The truck driver fled the scene; police have registered an FIR and launched a manhunt.
Key Takeaways
Tempo driver Kari , a resident of Bihat , was killed after a speeding truck hit a broken-down CNG tempo in Begusarai, Bihar on 6 August .
The tempo was carrying Kanwariyas from Barauni to Sultanganj to collect holy Ganga water for Lord Shiva .
Injured include Anish Sahani (40) of Hajipur, Ram Ratan Rai (48) , and Vikas Kumar of Barauni.
The truck driver fled the scene ; police have seized the vehicles and launched a search.
An FIR has been registered at Sahebpur Kamal police station for rash and negligent driving.
The body has been sent for post-mortem ; investigation is ongoing.
A pilgrimage to Sultanganj ended in tragedy on Thursday, 6 August, when a speeding truck ploughed into a broken-down CNG tempo carrying Kanwar Yatra devotees in Begusarai district, Bihar. The tempo driver died during treatment, and several Kanwariyas sustained injuries in the collision.
How the Accident Unfolded
The incident took place in the Sahebpur Kamal police station area, between Bakhda Dhala and Sanha Dhala. The CNG tempo was ferrying pilgrims from Barauni to Sultanganj — a route taken by thousands of Kanwariyas each year to collect holy Ganga water for offering to Lord Shiva.
When the vehicle developed a mechanical fault, the driver and the passengers stepped out and began pushing it along the roadside. A truck coming from behind allegedly failed to stop in time and crashed into both the tempo and the devotees, triggering panic at the scene.
Casualties and Injured Identified
The tempo driver, identified as Kari, a resident of Bihat, succumbed to his injuries during treatment. Among the injured are Anish Sahani (40), son of Ram Pukar Sahani, a resident of Hajipur in Vaishali district; Ram Ratan Rai (48), son of Mahavir Rai; and Vikas Kumar, son of the late Vinod Das, a resident of Barauni. Other injured devotees are also undergoing treatment.
Police Response and Legal Action
Personnel from the Sahebpur Kamal police station reached the spot promptly and, with the help of local residents, shifted the injured to the Community Health Centre at Sahebpur Kamal. Those with serious injuries were subsequently referred to Begusarai Sadar Hospital for advanced care.
An FIR has been registered against the truck driver for rash and negligent driving. The truck driver fled the scene immediately after the collision; police have seized the damaged vehicles and launched a search based on statements recorded from the injured and witnesses. The body of the deceased has been sent for post-mortem examination.
A Recurring Danger on Kanwar Routes
This is not an isolated incident. Kanwar Yatra season — which draws millions of Shiva devotees across Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand — has historically seen a spike in road accidents, with pilgrims on foot or in slow-moving vehicles sharing highways with heavy freight traffic. Notably, this accident occurred on a stretch where devotees were pushed to the roadside after a breakdown, a situation that significantly raises collision risk. Authorities have yet to announce any additional safety measures for the ongoing pilgrimage season.
Point of View
But it is not sufficient; what is missing is a credible audit of whether freight traffic restrictions on known pilgrimage corridors are actually being implemented.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Begusarai truck accident on 6 August?
A speeding truck crashed into a broken-down CNG tempo carrying Kanwar Yatra pilgrims in Begusarai, Bihar, on 6 August. The tempo driver, identified as Kari, died during treatment, and several Kanwariyas sustained injuries.
Where exactly did the Begusarai accident occur?
The accident occurred in the Sahebpur Kamal police station area, between Bakhda Dhala and Sanha Dhala in Begusarai district, Bihar.
Who are the injured Kanwariyas identified so far?
The identified injured include Anish Sahani (40) of Hajipur in Vaishali district, Ram Ratan Rai (48), and Vikas Kumar of Barauni. Other injured devotees are also undergoing treatment.
Has the truck driver been arrested?
No. The truck driver fled the scene immediately after the collision. Police have registered an FIR for rash and negligent driving and launched a search based on witness statements.
Why were the pilgrims outside the vehicle when the truck hit them?
The CNG tempo had developed a mechanical fault, prompting the driver and passengers to step out and push it along the roadside. The truck allegedly struck both the tempo and the people pushing it.
