At least thirteen individuals, including nine women and four children, lost their lives, and eleven others sustained serious injuries in a devastating crash on the Raipur–Baloda Bazar highway, near Saragaon in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur district on Sunday.
The fatal accident occurred when a goods carrier, transporting nearly 50 passengers, collided head-on with a high-speed trailer truck (registration number JH-05 DP-7584) traveling from the opposite direction. The passengers were returning from a “Chhathi” function, a customary postnatal ceremony held at Bana Banarsi village, and were en route to Chataud village in a Swaraj Mazda vehicle (CG 04 MQ 1259).
Eyewitnesses recounted a horrifying scene at the crash site, with mangled remains scattered across the road. One elderly woman’s body was reportedly torn into two, highlighting the brutal force of the impact. “There was mayhem at the site as there were bodies scattered all over the road, many were in pieces while the injured cried for help,” sources described.
Raipur Senior Superintendent of Police Lal Umed Singh confirmed, “The vehicle, loaded with 50 people, was returning from Chataud village from a ‘Chhathi’ ceremony (a traditional postnatal ritual) held at Bana Banarsi village. They were traveling in a Swaraj Mazda goods vehicle (registration CG 04 MQ 1259), when a speeding trailer truck coming from the opposite direction rammed into them head-on near Saragaon.”
Emergency services rushed to the location immediately after receiving reports of the crash. First responders transferred the wounded to the Kharora Community Health Center, and due to the seriousness of their injuries, many were later referred to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital in Raipur. Several remain in critical condition, and authorities have cautioned that the death toll may rise.
Police have launched an official investigation into the crash. The driver of the trailer truck is currently under scrutiny for speeding and possible negligence, and forensic teams have been deployed to gather evidence from the crash site.
Raipur District Collector Gaurav Singh expressed his deep condolences, stating, “It was an extremely unfortunate incident,” and added that district officials promptly reached the location to manage rescue and relief efforts. “Thirteen people died and 11 people were injured in the accident,” Singh confirmed, assuring full support to the victims’ families.
Local representatives and public figures visited the accident scene and hospitals, terming the tragedy as both “heart-breaking” and “unacceptable.” In response, there have been mounting calls for urgent road safety audits and tighter enforcement of traffic regulations, particularly along the notoriously dangerous Raipur–Baloda Bazar route.
The ill-fated journey involved the relatives of Puneet Sahu, whose daughter had recently delivered a child. The family was returning home after attending the newborn’s naming and purification ceremony.
As the community mourns this catastrophic loss, Chhattisgarh reels under the impact of one of the most horrific road accidents in recent years.
