At least 15 people were killed and 48 others injured in a devastating chain-reaction traffic accident in northern India after multiple vehicles collided on a major highway in Uttar Pradesh, authorities said.

The crash occurred in the Mathura district on the Delhi–Agra Expressway, one of the busiest transport corridors in the region. Indian media reported that dense fog severely reduced visibility at the time of the accident, contributing to the scale and severity of the collision.

According to officials, seven buses and three cars were involved in the pile-up. Several of the vehicles caught fire following the impact, resulting in extensive damage and trapping passengers inside. Firefighters, police, and medical teams were rushed to the scene, where they worked for hours to extinguish the flames and rescue survivors from the wreckage.

Authorities confirmed that at least 15 people lost their lives in the incident, while 48 others sustained injuries. Several of the injured remain in critical condition and are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.

Due to the intensity of the fire, many of the victims’ bodies were burned beyond recognition. Officials said only three of the deceased have been identified so far, with all bodies transferred to the morgue for forensic examination and identification procedures.

A local police officer told reporters that the severe fire damage has complicated the identification process, adding that investigations are ongoing to establish the full list of victims.

Officials noted that the buses involved were traveling from Delhi to various destinations across Uttar Pradesh and eastern parts of Madhya Pradesh at the time of the accident.

An official investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the collision, with authorities examining weather conditions, driver response, vehicle spacing, and road safety measures. The tragedy has once again highlighted persistent concerns over traffic safety on India’s highways, particularly during periods of heavy fog and reduced visibility. (ILKHA)