One-year-old among 15 dead in Surat as dumper truck runs over migrant workers

Surat rural police said the accident took place around 1.30 am on Tuesday, when an empty dumper truck was on its way from Kim Cross road to Mandvi.

The driver lost control of the truck when a tractor came from the opposite side, and hit the rear of the tractor loaded with sugarcane.

The dumper driver and cleaner are among the six injured who are admitted to a hospital in Surat. (Source: Hanif Malek)

Surat District Deputy Superintendent of Police CM Jadeja said, “The truck driver lost control over the vehicle, hit the tractor loaded with sugarcanes and ran over the labourers who were sleeping on pavement. The dumper driver and cleaner are injured and they are undergoing treatment in SMIMER Hospital. We have lodged a case and started a probe.”

Hearing the cries of the injured, local people from the nearby Palod village rushed oto the spot. Surat rural police and doctors from a nearby private hospital also reached the spot.

Police said that 12 people, including a one year-old girl, died on the spot while nine others were taken to the SMIMER Hospital in Surat city. Among them, three persons who were critically injured were declared dead on arrival.

All those killed hailed from Rajasthan (Source: Hanif Malek)

Surat rural Kosamba police has lodged a complaint under IPC sections 279, 304 and 308 against dumper driver Munnalal Kevat and started a probe.

The deceased have been identified as Manisha Keshav Mahida (19), Vanita Kelabhai Mahida (17), Sangita Dilip Vasuniya (27), Champa Valubhai Vanda (16), Naresh Valu Vanda (25), Rajila Vikesh Mahida (25), Vikesh Ravji Mahida (27), Shakchand Rupchand Vasuniya (21), Mukesh Kela Mahida (25), Leela Mukesh Mahida (22), Dilipbhai Akrabhai Mahida (20) and Shobhnaben Rakeshbhai Vasaniya (23), all residents of Abapur in Banswada, Rajasthan, and Anitaben Manish Mahida (40) and Rahul Bharji Mahida (19) from Bajna taluka in Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh.

The injured are Pinkaben Kamlesh Mahida (19), Nandu Sanju Aad (21), Kamleshbhai Bhurjibhai Mahida (21), all residents of Banswada in Rajasthan, Manishbhai Kalabhai Mevuliya, 23, native of Ratlam Madhya Pradesh, truck driver Punalal Shrikevat (24) and cleaner Sudama Yadav (24), both residents of Madhya Pradesh.

Surat rural Kosamba police lodged a complaint in this connection against the dumper driver and started a probe. (Source: Hanif Malek)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has declared Rs 2 lakh compensation each to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each to those injured.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced Rs 2 lakh ex gratia from the state government to the kin of each of the deceased.

Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot also condoled the death of labourers and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the family of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. “Deeply saddened to know many labourers from #Banswara, #Rajasthan have lost lives after a truck ran over them as they were sleeping near the road in #Surat. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for speedy recovery of those injured,” he tweeted.— with PTI inputs.