At least 11 people have been killed and four others injured after a vehicle overturned and fell into a canal in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda district, Indian police have confirmed.

The group of 15, all residents of the Motiganj area, were travelling in a Bolero SUV from Sihagaon to offer water at the Prithvi Nath Temple in Khargupur when the driver reportedly lost control. The vehicle veered off the road and plunged into the Saryu canal.

Passersby witnessed the crash and alerted local authorities. Police teams from Itiyathok station, along with villagers, rushed to the site and pulled the submerged vehicle from the water. Eleven bodies — including men, women, and children — were recovered, while four survivors, including the driver, were taken to hospital.

District officials said post-mortems would be conducted at Gonda’s District Hospital. Rescue and relief operations continued through the afternoon.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and announced financial assistance for the victims’ families. “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to an accident in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon,” he said in a statement. An ex-gratia of 200,000 rupees (£1,900) will be provided to the families of each victim and 50,000 rupees (£470) to the injured.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath described the accident as “extremely tragic and heart-wrenching” and announced compensation of 500,000 rupees (£4,700) for the families of each deceased. He directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured.

Police official Vineet Jaiswal confirmed that immediate rescue operations helped save four people. “Local villagers and police acted quickly. Eleven bodies have been recovered. The survivors are receiving treatment at the community health centre,” he said.

An investigation into the cause of the accident is under way. (ILKHA)