Gujarat: 9 killed, 10 injured in Ahmedabad road accident; CM announces ex-gratia

As many as nine people lost their lives when a speeding car ploughed into a crowd gathered at an accident site on a bridge in Gujarat's Ahmedabad city on Thursday, said police, adding that 10 others have also been injured in the accident.

They said that a constable and a Home Guard jawan who reached the spot after the first accident of a collision involving two vehicles were among those killed in the incident, according to sources.

The accident took place at around 1 am at ISKCON bridge on the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar highway in the Satellite area of the city when the Jaguar car moving at a very high speed ploughed into a crowd gathered there, the police said.

The official said that the cab driver, Tathya Patel, was also admitted to a private hospital as he too received injuries. Sources said that the angry bystanders thrashed the car driver, and a video of it was captured by a person standing below the bridge, as per reports.

Neeta Desai, Deputy Commissioner of Police stated that an FIR has been registered in this connection and the cops will try their best to ensure the kin of the victims get justice.

Sources informed the news agency that most of the deceased and injured youth belonged to other cities and were living here as paying guests.

They said that after learning about the first accident, they went on the bridge out of curiosity, and minutes later, the speeding car came from the Karnavati Club side and ran over the crowd.

The parents and other family members of the deceased reached the Sola Civil Hospital and demanded the harshest punishment for the accused.

The crossroads under the ISKCON bridge is a popular hangout spot for youngsters during night hours, as they gather there to have tea and snacks.

Many people wanting to travel to other towns and cities also gather at the ISKCON crossroads to catch buses or private vehicles.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced compensation for the families of the deceased and injured in the Ahmedabad road accident.