Tragedy Strikes Devotion: Six Kanwariyas Dead in Deoghar Crash

DEOGHAR/RANCHI:

In a tragic incident early Tuesday morning, six Kanwariyas lost their lives and at least 24 others sustained injuries when a bus carrying them collided with a truck loaded with cooking gas cylinders in Jharkhand’s Deoghar district.

The accident occurred at approximately 5.30 am near the Jamuniya forest area, falling under the jurisdiction of Mohanpur Police Station. The impact of the collision was severe, with the bus, reportedly transporting devotees as part of the annual Shravani Mela pilgrimage, smashing into the commercial vehicle at Jamuniya Chowk.

Deoghar Deputy Commissioner Naman Priyesh Lakra confirmed the casualty figures and shared details about the medical response. “Six devotees were killed and 24 others injured in the accident at Jamuniya Chowk in Deoghar. Eight of the 24 injured have been shifted to AIIMS, Deoghar, while the remaining are undergoing treatment at Sadar Hospital,” Lakra said.

All the deceased and injured were part of a larger group of pilgrims taking part in the month-long Kanwar Yatra, during which devotees carry holy water from the Ganga River to offer at the Baidyanath Dham temple in Deoghar, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva.

Police and local administration personnel reached the scene shortly after the collision was reported. Rescue operations were launched immediately with the help of nearby villagers, who played a crucial role in helping shift the injured to nearby healthcare facilities before authorities arrived with ambulances and support staff.

While the exact cause of the accident is yet to be officially established, preliminary reports suggest that one of the vehicles may have been speeding or attempting to overtake. The presence of cooking gas cylinders in the truck raised initial concerns about the risk of fire or explosion, but authorities have clarified that the cylinders remained intact and posed no further danger.

District police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the incident. Both vehicles involved in the crash have been seized, and forensic examination is expected to determine mechanical failure or any other contributing factors.

The state government is yet to announce any compensation for the victims, though district officials indicated that support measures are being reviewed and coordinated. The identities of the deceased are being confirmed and will be released after informing their families.

The Deoghar district administration has also appealed to all drivers transporting pilgrims during the ongoing Shravani Mela to exercise maximum caution, especially during early morning and late-night hours when visibility and fatigue often contribute to road mishaps.

The tragedy has cast a shadow over the otherwise festive spiritual journey of thousands of Kanwariyas who throng Deoghar every year. Security and traffic arrangements during the Shravani Mela will now likely be revisited in light of this fatal accident.

As of Tuesday evening, hospital authorities reported that the condition of at least four injured persons remains critical. Further updates on their health and the ongoing investigation are awaited.