Four women agricultural labourers were killed and two others sustained critical injuries when a speeding tipper lorry ran over them on Saturday morning near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh. The incident occurred when the victims were crossing the road near the Kovvuru Bridge in Kakinada Rural mandal, en route to their work site under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA).
According to reports, the lorry was travelling at high speed when it veered off the road and struck the group of women. Four of the labourers died on the spot due to severe injuries, while the remaining two were rushed to the Government General Hospital in Kakinada. Their condition is reported to be critical.
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the accident. The driver of the tipper lorry reportedly fled the scene immediately after the incident. The exact cause of the accident is under investigation, though initial reports suggest excessive speed and negligence on the part of the driver.
The deceased have been identified as V Sathyavathi (60), Palika Krishnaveni (35), Chittemma (45), and Ch Annavaram (45). The injured have been identified as M Aruna Kumari and Palika Nagamani.
The tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the local community. Families of the victims have been inconsolable following the news. Local authorities and political leaders have expressed their condolences and pledged support to the affected families.
Road accidents, particularly those involving heavy vehicles and vulnerable road users like labourers, remain a significant concern in India. Causes often cited include speeding, negligent driving, poor road infrastructure, and inadequate enforcement of traffic regulations. In 2019, over 150,000 people died in road crashes across India, according to government data. Road safety initiatives are ongoing, but the scale of the problem necessitates continuous and comprehensive efforts to reduce fatalities and injuries on the nation’s roads.
The Chenab Times News Desk