Haveri: 13 killed, 4 injured after van collides with lorry
Haveri (PTI): As many as 13 people, including two children died and four others were injured after the van they were travelling in allegedly collided with a lorry at Gundenahalli cross in Byadagi Taluk early on Friday, police said.
The deceased children, both boys were aged four and six, they said.
According to police, the accident occurred around 3.45 am when the van collided with a lorry which was parked on the side of National Highway 48 in Byadagi in Haveri district.
A total of 17 persons were travelling in the van. Of them, eleven people died on the spot while two others were declared dead at a hospital, a senior police official said.
Among the four injured, two are admitted in the ICU of the hospital, he said.
"The victims were coming from Chincholi Mayamma Devasthana and heading to their native Yemehatti village in Shivamogga district. The lorry was standing on the side of the highway. The van hit the lorry from behind," Anshu Kumar Srivastava, Superintendent of Police (Haveri) told PTI.
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The bodies have been shifted to the mortuary and the injured have been admitted to Haveri Government Hospital, he said.
Police suspected that the driver dozed off resulting in the accident.
Because of the impact of the collision, the bodies were stuck in the mangled remains of the van and the fire brigade and police personnel had a difficult time in extricating them, police said.
The deceased have been identified as Nagesh, Vishalakshi, Adarsh, Arpita, Parashuram, Bhagya, Punya, Manasa, Roopa, Subhadra Bai, Manjula Bai and Manjula, police said.
The identity of one of the victims ceased is yet to be ascertained, police said.
Police further said Nagesh (50), Vishalakshi (40), Adarsh (23) and Arpita (18) were from the same family.
It is also learnt that Nagesh was behind the wheel.
"Nagesh had purchased a new van (tempo traveller) and had decided to pay his obeisance with his parents and relatives to Tulja Bhavani in Maharashtra, Renuka Yallamma in Savadatti and Mariyamma in Chincholi in Belagavi," family sources said.
A case is being registered in connection with the incident, police said, adding further investigation is underway.
Taking to 'X', Siddaramaiah posted, "A compensation of Rs 2 lakh each will be given by the government to the kin of those who died in the horrific accident in Haveri today. I pray that the souls of the deceased may rest in peace and my God bless their families with strength to bear the pain."
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Three footballers of Indian origin named in squads for FIFA World Cup 2026
New Delhi: Three footballers of Indian origin have been named in preliminary or final squads for the upcoming FIFA World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held across the United States, Mexico and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
According to a report published by Mathrubhumi, Sarpreet Singh was included in the New Zealand national football team squad which was announced on Wednesday.
Born in Auckland to Indian parents, Singh was eligible to represent India through his family roots but chose to play for New Zealand. The 27-year-old attacking midfielder made his senior international debut in 2018 and has since become a regular member of the national side.
Singh has made 26 appearances for New Zealand and has scored three goals while providing seven assists.
Julen Lopetegui has included two players of Indian origin: Niall Mason and Tahsin Mohammed, in Qatar’s selections for the tournament.
Mason, a defender whose mother is Indian, previously trained in the youth academies of Real Madrid, Southampton FC and Aston Villa FC. Although he received his first senior call-up earlier this year, the Qatar defender is yet to make his senior international debut.
Tahsin Mohammed, 19, was born to parents from Kerala’s Kannur district. His father Jamshid is from Thalassery, while his mother Shaima belongs to Valapattanam. The winger became the first player of Indian origin to feature in the Qatar Stars League, Qatar’s premier domestic football competition.
Mohammed has made two appearances for the senior Qatar side, including in a World Cup qualifier against Afghanistan in June 2024.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 will be jointly hosted by United States, Mexico and Canada.
