A tragic accident took place late Friday night near Sardarewala village in Haryana's Fatehabad district when a Force Motors Cruiser plunged off the road and fell 50-55 km away from the accident site, resulting in the deaths of nine people, including five women and one 11-year-old girl. The vehicle was carrying 14 passengers, primarily members of the same community returning from attending a wedding ceremony in Fazilka district, Punjab.
According to official reports, the incident occurred during heavy fog, which severely limited visibility. The Deputy Superintendent of Police (Ratia) Sanjay Kumar stated, "We are continuing the rescue operation to locate the three missing passengers." He noted the immediate response involved local police and rescue operations teams from the National Disaster Response Force and State Disaster Response Force.
The passengers were returning home when the driver reportedly lost control because of the dense fog, leading to the vehicle plummeting directly off the road and plunging downwards. Officials have confirmed the recovery of nine bodies so far, with efforts still underway for three other individuals who have not yet been found.
Witnesses described the moment as harrowing; the fog made seeing anything more than just a few feet away almost impossible. Rescuers worked through poor visibility and chilling conditions to locate and retrieve the victims, with divers making valiant attempts to reach the submerged vehicle.
The bodies retrieved have been documented as tragically including those who were most vulnerable, highlighting the severe consequences this accident wrought upon the families involved. Emergency services had to manage rising water levels caused by recent rains, which added another layer of complexity to their efforts as they sought to diminish the water levels to aid divers during the search.
Jagdish Chandra, SDM, remarked, "This incident took place yesterday night; there were 14 people traveling. We are pushing all available resources for the rescue operation." This reflection highlights the urgency with which local authorities are approaching this disaster.
The local community faced significant emotional distress as news of the accident spread. With the majority of those on board coming from Mehmara village, the loss hit particularly hard, leaving many families mourning multiple loved ones due to this incident.
The gravity of this situation emphasizes the importance of heightened caution during adverse weather conditions. Local authorities expressed intentions to review road safety protocols, especially during specific seasons when fog is prevalent. The accident could serve as a wake-up call to implement necessary measures to avoid such devastating incidents in the future.
While rescue operations continue, police are urging drivers to approach such areas with heightened caution whenever visibility dips. They remind residents about the significance of adapting driving behavior to accommodate changing weather conditions.
Community leaders are expected to hold meetings to address road safety concerns, with plans underway to work closely with local government to propose solutions aimed at preventing future tragedies like this one.
Those involved in these accidents often have their lives turned upside down, and the aftershock can ripple through communities for years. While the community awaits the conclusion of the rescue operation, their focus remains on healing and supporting the affected families. The hope now lies with the effective recovery of those still unaccounted for, alongside reflections on road safety practices as people prepare to resume their day-to-day activities after this harrowing event.