22 injured while celebrating Ganesh festival immersion in Karnataka’s Hassan district
A Ganesh Chaturthi immersion procession in Hassan district, Karnataka, ended in tragedy on Friday night when a truck ploughed into devotees. The incident took place around 8:45 pm at Mosale Hosahalli village in Holenarasipura Taluk, leaving nine people dead and at least 22 others injured.
Procession Interrupted by Speeding Truck
The procession, which had just moved from the festival pandal to NH-373, was filled with devotees celebrating the final day of Ganesh Chaturthi. Suddenly, a speeding truck lost control and crashed into the crowd. According to eyewitnesses, the driver may have been attempting to avoid a motorcyclist, while other accounts suggest reckless driving and overspeeding. The vehicle jumped the road divider and hit the group walking with the Ganpati idol.
Young Victims Among the Dead
Most of the victims were young people, including students, who had joined the immersion. Several were run over on the spot, while others died after being rushed to hospitals in Hassan. The accident caused chaos and panic, with locals desperately trying to rescue the injured and shift them for medical treatment.
Driver’s Reckless Act Under Investigation
Preliminary reports indicate that the truck driver might have been under the influence of alcohol. Witnesses said he attempted to escape after the crash but was caught by locals and handed over to the police. Officials are investigating whether negligence, speeding, or alcohol played a role in the accident.
Government Announces Relief Measures
The Karnataka government has announced ₹5 lakh compensation for the families of each deceased victim. All the injured are being given free medical treatment in government hospitals.
Officials Reach the Site and Hospitals
Senior officials and political leaders, including Hassan Deputy Commissioner K.S. Latha Kumari, Holenarasipura MLA H.D. Revanna, and MP Shreyas Patel, visited the accident site and hospitals to console the victims’ families and ensure proper treatment.
Police have registered a case and launched an inquiry into the tragedy. Authorities are also examining whether there were adequate safety and traffic control measures in place during the procession.
What should have been a night of celebration for Ganesh Chaturthi turned into one of grief and mourning, as families and the community now struggle to come to terms with the devastating loss.
