A deadly collision between a pickup van and a bus on the Budaun-Meerut state highway in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr district in India left 11 laborers dead and 26 others injured on Sunday, August 18, 2024. The accident occurred in the Salempur area, approximately 14 kilometers from Bulandshahr’s district headquarters, early in the morning as the laborers were on their way home to celebrate the Raksha Bandhan festival.
The workers, employed by the Britannia company, were traveling to their native village in Aligarh. Among the victims were men, women, and children who had boarded the van from various locations, including Dadri. The group had been looking forward to reuniting with their families for the festival when tragedy struck.
According to Chandra Prakash Singh, the District Magistrate, “Ten people were killed and 27 injured when a pickup van traveling from Ghaziabad to Sambhal collided with a private bus.” Later, another person died from their injuries. The collision was so severe that the van was left in shambles, while the front of the bus sustained significant damage.
Emergency services were dispatched to the scene, and the injured were taken to nearby hospitals in Bulandshahr, Meerut, and Aligarh.
The scene at the crash site was chaotic, with local villagers rushing to assist before police and emergency personnel arrived. Videos and images circulated on social media showed the extent of the devastation, highlighting the fragility of road safety in the region. The Bulandshahr SSP, Shlok Kumar, confirmed that all the dead were men, while the injured included women and children. He added that the injured are receiving the best possible care at the hospitals.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences and directed local officials to ensure that the injured receive top-tier medical treatment. In addition, the state government announced financial compensation for the victims’ families: ₹200,000 (approximately $2,400) for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 (about $600) for those injured.
Preliminary investigations suggest that both vehicles involved in the crash had their fitness documents up to date, though authorities are still looking into the exact cause of the collision. Local reports speculate that the bus driver might have fallen asleep at the wheel, leading to the head-on collision. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities promising strict action against those responsible once the investigation concludes.
The tragedy placed a dark shadow on the Raksha Bandhan festival, which is a time of joyous celebration and family gatherings.
Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi, is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated in India and other parts of South Asia. The festival honors the bond between brothers and sisters. It usually falls on the full moon day of the Hindu lunar month of Shravana, which typically occurs in August.
During Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie a protective thread, called a “rakhi,” around their brothers’ wrists. This symbolizes the sister’s love and prayers for her brother’s well-being, while the brother promises to protect her throughout her life. The ritual often includes exchanging gifts, sweets, and performing a traditional aarti (a ceremonial prayer involving a lighted lamp).
The festival emphasizes family bonds and the protection and care siblings provide each other. While traditionally celebrated between biological siblings, Raksha Bandhan has evolved to include close friends and extended family members, reflecting the spirit of love and protection beyond just the sibling relationship.
