Rajasthan: 3 killed, 8 injured as cotton-laden truck overturns in Bundi; Om Birla visits injured

Kota (Rajasthan) [India], January 4 (ANI): At least three people were killed and eight others injured after a cotton-laden truck overturned near Dei Kheda in Bundi district on Sunday, police said.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla later visited the injured in a hospital and assured support to the families of those who died.
Kota Range Inspector General Rajendra Prasad Goyal said the accident occurred in an area affected by dense fog. He said the truck, which was carrying a heavy load of cotton, lost control and overturned near Dei Kheda, reportedly hitting pedestrians.
"A very tragic incident occurred today in which 3 people lost their lives, and 8 were injured. The injured are receiving proper treatment... The District Collector is also monitoring the situation, and I, along with the highway team, will visit the site to investigate whether the accident was caused by any technical flaws, so that such an incident does not happen again in the future," Goyal said.
"We are conducting a thorough investigation alongside the highway team to determine if technical flaws contributed to this tragedy," he added.
Goyal also said additional safety measures would be put in place to prevent further accidents, especially during the pilgrimage season.
"We have received instructions from higher authorities to deploy five to eight police patrol vehicles to create a safe passage for pedestrians," he said.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, who visited the injured at the hospital, expressed grief over the incident and said the accident could have been avoided.
"This accident was avoidable, as all the devotees were heading to Chauth Mata Mandir, which attracts many pilgrims. I was present at the scene. A dedicated corridor should be constructed for these pilgrims to ensure their safety on the way. The injured are currently receiving treatment. We will also support the families of the deceased and their children. Such incidents cause widespread grief," Birla said. (ANI)