At least 12 people, including three children, were killed in a tragic road accident in Madhya Pradesh after an overloaded pickup truck overturned and collided with an SUV on the Indore–Ahmedabad national highway.
The incident occurred near Chikhalia Phata in Dhar district, about 40 km from Indore, around 8:30 pm on Wednesday. According to police, the pickup vehicle was carrying nearly 35 labourers when it lost control at high speed.
Dhar Superintendent of Police Mayank Awasthi said the vehicle overturned multiple times before skidding across the road and crashing into an oncoming SUV. The impact left the pickup completely mangled, with several passengers trapped inside as locals rushed to rescue the injured before emergency services arrived.
Doctors confirmed 12 fatalities, while at least 12 others remain in critical condition. Ten of the injured have been shifted to Indore for advanced treatment. Medical officials warned that the death toll could rise due to the severity of injuries.
The accident triggered scenes of distress at the hospital, where families gathered in search of missing relatives. One local resident reported losing both his sister and niece in the crash, while another family member remains unaccounted for.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also conveyed condolences and announced additional compensation—₹4 lakh for the families of those killed, ₹1 lakh for the critically injured, and ₹50,000 for others hurt in the accident. He directed authorities to ensure free medical treatment for all victims.
Senior officials, including the in-charge collector and district police chief, reached the hospital to oversee rescue and relief operations. Authorities are coordinating with Indore administration to manage treatment for the injured.
The highway remained blocked for several hours as debris was cleared. Police have launched an investigation into the incident, examining possible causes such as overloading, speeding, and mechanical failure.
Local residents noted that overcrowded pickup vehicles are commonly used in the region to transport labourers to farms, construction sites, and factories, raising concerns about road safety and enforcement.
