Mathura: 13 Dead in Massive Multi-Vehicle Fire on Yamuna Expressway, Probe Underway
At least 13 people died after eight buses and three vehicles collided and caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura. Police begin investigation, DNA tests underway.
Mathura Accident: 13 Killed in Massive Multi-Vehicle Fire on Yamuna Expressway
According to an official announcement made on Tuesday, at least thirteen individuals have died as a result of a catastrophic multiple-vehicle crash on the Yamuna Expressway in the district of Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, through which the expressway passes. The collision involved the burning of eight buses and three smaller vehicles, which resulted in a fire spreading rapidly across the site of the accident.
Mathura's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shlok Kumar called the incident “major and unfortunate” while giving a statement to reporters. He informed that the charred remains of several individuals had been sourced from the site and deposited to the post-mortem section, while more than one wounded traveler had been saved and received medical care at local hospitals.
The police stated that the victims were mostly found dead with their bodies burnt beyond recognition or partially burnt owing to the ferocity of the fire. Therefore, DNA testing will be carried out on the remains to ascertain the victims’ identities. Up till now, three casualties have been recognized with the attempts to ascertain the rest of the corpses still ongoing.
“The bodies and every bit of residue from the accident site were taken to the mortuary, where medical teams first performed the preliminary examinations. The panchnama and post-mortem processes are ongoing and being conducted in accordance with the prescribed protocols,” the SSP Kumar said.
In addition, he promised that all the dead persons would be given dignified last rites. The remains of the recognized victims will be released to their kin, who have already been informed by the authorities. Among those whose identities have been established so far are people from Gonda and Prayagraj, plus another person from a different district. Relatives are anticipated to come to Mathura very soon.
On the other hand, the police have started the process of filing a First Information Report (FIR) in order to carry out an in-depth investigation into the factors that caused the crash. Among the aspects being considered are how the visibility was, the condition of the vehicles involved, and the traffic situation at the time of the accident.
Despite the district being one of the locations where the deadliest road accidents have been reported recently, emergency services and local authorities are still cooperating and coordinating their efforts in both the relief and investigation aspects.
