A heartbreaking road accident shook Chhattisgarh late Sunday night as 13 people, including nine women, three children, and a six-month-old infant, lost their lives in a gruesome collision near the village of Bangoli, under the jurisdiction of Kharora police station. The victims, relatives of Puneet Sahu from Chatod village, were returning from a traditional “Chhathi” ceremony held in Bano village when their Swaraj Mazda (CG 04 MQ 1259) collided head-on with a speeding trailer truck (JH 05 DP 7584) on the Raipur-Balodabazar highway. The impact of the crash was so severe that 13 died on the spot while several others sustained critical injuries.

According to authorities, the collision occurred between 11:00 and 11:30 PM. District Collector Gaurav Singh confirmed the deaths and said that around 11–12 injured were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals for first aid and then referred to Mekahara Hospital in Raipur for advanced treatment. SSP Lal Umed Singh stated that the accident likely occurred due to high speed and negligence, emphasizing the need for stricter traffic regulation. Rescue operations were conducted swiftly, with police and emergency medical teams reaching the scene within minutes.

Political leaders and officials have expressed deep sorrow over the incident. BJP MLA Anuj Sharma called it “a heartbreaking tragedy” and assured full support to the bereaved families. The local administration has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Meanwhile, the community in Chatod village is in mourning, as families struggle to cope with the sudden loss of their loved ones. The tragic event has once again highlighted the urgent need for improved road safety and enforcement measures across India’s highways.