A tragic road accident in Punjab’s Sangrur district left eight people dead and ten others critically injured on Sunday afternoon after a speeding car veered off the road and struck a group of workers. The incident occurred at approximately 3 pm in Alisher village, involving individuals engaged in horticulture work under the MGNREGA scheme. According to local police, the workers were taking a scheduled break and were positioned by the roadside when the vehicle, travelling from the direction of Jakhal towards Patiala, lost control and ploughed into the gathering.
The impact was severe, resulting in immediate casualties among the group. Police have identified the deceased as Karamjit Kaur (35), Des Raj Singh (65), Jeevan Singh (40), Ranjit Kaur (50), Banto Kaur (45), Sarabjit Kaur (35), Rani Kaur (40), and Nikki Kaur (50). Following the collision, the driver of the car fled the scene, and authorities confirmed that no arrests had been made as of Sunday evening.
Witnesses at the scene, including Megh Raj, a government schoolteacher and member of the Democratic Teachers Front (DTF), reported significant damage to personal property, noting his own motorcycle was destroyed during the crash. Concerns were raised by onlookers regarding the response time of officials, as some victims remained at the site for several hours after the incident. Sangrur Superintendent of Police Palwinder Singh Cheema arrived at the location by 6 pm to oversee the investigation and address the situation.
The injured were initially rushed to the Civil Hospital in Sangrur for emergency treatment. Due to the severity of their conditions, several individuals were subsequently referred to the Rajindra Hospital in Patiala for advanced medical care. While initial reports indicated eight fatalities, Sangrur Deputy Commissioner Poonamdeep Kaur clarified that the district administration is actively involved in managing the aftermath and providing support to the affected families.
The incident has drawn attention from local organisations, with representatives from the Zameen Prapti Sangharsh Committee (ZPSC), the Kirti Kisan Union, and the Jamhoori Adhikar Sabha arriving at the site to express their concerns. Deputy Commissioner Poonamdeep Kaur stated that the district administration remains committed to offering all necessary medical assistance and support to those impacted by the tragedy.
The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash continues, with law enforcement agencies working to track down the driver who absconded. The incident highlights ongoing safety concerns for rural labourers working in proximity to busy transport corridors. As the community mourns, local authorities continue to coordinate the recovery efforts for the injured while the search for the suspect remains a priority for the police.
This accident follows a period of heightened vigilance regarding road safety in the region. Local government officials have pledged to review safety protocols for workers in similar sectors to prevent future occurrences of such devastating road incidents. Further updates are expected as the police investigation into the driver’s identity and the mechanical status of the vehicle progresses in the coming days.
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