41 killed in Bihar truck accident

PATNA: Forty one labourers were killed and over two dozen injured in Bihar's Lakhisarai district when  a rice laden truck overturned and fell into a river due to poor condition of the road, the police said on Sunday.

“Thirty-five labourers were killed on the spot Saturday night while six labourers succumbed to injuries Sunday. The death toll is 41,” a police official said. Lakhisarai is about 150 km from here.

Manoj Kumar Sinha, officer incharge of Halsi police station, said the accident took place due to the poor condition of road. ”The driver of the truck lost control due to the bad (condition of) road and the vehicle overturned and fell into the river,” Sinha said.

Pranmohan Thakur, Lakhisarai district magistrate, said over half a dozen seriously injured labourers were admitted in the government hospital. ”The condition of at least two-three injured labourers was critical,” he said.

According to police sources, the rice laden truck was carrying over 60 labourers when it overturned and fell into Khori river. All the victims were returning to their native villages in flood prone districts of Khagaria and Saharsa after finishing paddy plantation work.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered an inquiry into the accident and announced a compensation of Rs.100,000 to the families of each victim.