24 children killed in UP road accident: PM condoles loss of lives

Etah: At least 24 school children were killed and several others injured when a school bus collided with a truck in Aliganj area of the district here today. The accident occurred due to dense fog in the area. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his heartiest condolence on the loss of lives in the road accident. Taking to micro-blogging site twitter, Mr Modi said," Anguished by tragic accident in UP’s Etah. I share the pain of the bereaved families & condole passing away of young children.

I pray that those injured in the accident in Etah recover at the earliest." UP Director General of Police (DGP) Javeed Ahmed confirmed that more than 24 children were killed in the accident. "Priority is to rescue trapped children. Rescue operation is underway. Strict action will be taken against the school," Mr Ahmed told reporters in Lucknow. The DGP said school was open against the district administration's order to close schools due to cold weather.

Police sources said that the school bus of J S Public school collided with a sand-laden truck near Asadpur village on Aligang-Dariyapur road. Most of the children died on the spot while 30 were injured who have been rushed to the hospital. (UNI)