An SUV fell into the Saryu canal in the district on Sunday, leaving 11 people dead and four others injured, police said. Station House Officer (SHO), Itiathok police station, Krishn Gopal Rai, said the victims were going from Sihagaon village to offer holy water at the Prithvinath Temple in Khargupur when the accident occurred near Belwa Bahuta. Rai said the SUV was carrying 15 people, including the driver.

With the help of villagers and rescue teams, 11 bodies were recovered from the submerged vehicle. SP Vineet Jaiswal said those killed in the accident included six women, two men and three children while four others, including the SUV driver, were rescued and sent to a hospital. Rahul Verma, a resident of Itiyathok and an eyewitness to the accident, said the road was slippery due to rain in the morning. The SUV was running on the road built next to the canal and when the driver applied the brakes it slipped and fell into the canal, he said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condoled the loss of lives and announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed anguish and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured.