Speeding Car Kills 8 Rural Workers on Sangrur Road; 12 Injured, Driver Fleesਸੰਗਰੂਰ ਵਿੱਚ ਤੇਜ਼ ਰਫ਼ਤਾਰ ਕਾਰ ਨੇ 8 ਮਜ਼ਦੂਰ ਦਰੜੇ, 12 ਜ਼ਖ਼ਮੀ; ਡਰਾਈਵਰ ਫ਼ਰਾਰ

At least eight rural workers were killed and about 12 others injured on Sunday afternoon when a speeding car ran over a group sitting by the roadside on the Lehragaga-Jakhal road in Punjab's Sangrur district. Early reports said five dead; later accounts from police and hospital officials raised the toll to eight, and some outlets reported nine.

What happened

The workers, enrolled under the rural employment scheme formerly known as MGNREGA (now VB-G RAM G), were doing roadside work and resting when the car came from the direction of Jakhal around 3:30 pm, PTI and ANI reported. More than 20 workers were present, India TV and Livemint said.

Superintendent of Police Palwinder Singh said the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled, according to PTI. Livemint, citing NDTV, described the car as a sedan. The Times of India and the Senior Medical Officer, Sangrur, put the toll at eight at the hospital, while Lehragaga SHO Jaskaran Singh told ANI nine had died. The figure has varied between reports.

Victims and reaction

BBC Punjabi reported that the dead include six women and two men, all said to be from Alisher village. Injured workers were taken to hospital, some in critical condition. Punjab Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal expressed grief. BBC Punjabi said villagers staged a protest at the site, raising questions about the police and ambulance response.

What is not yet known

Police have not publicly given a cause, and no official statement on the driver's identity or any charges was available in the reports reviewed. The toll may change as injured workers are treated.

How many people died in the Sangrur car accident?

Police and hospital officials cited by PTI and the Times of India said eight died; ANI quoted a police officer saying nine. Reports have varied through the evening.

Where did it happen?

On the Lehragaga-Jakhal road in Sangrur district, Punjab, around 3:30 pm on Sunday, October 18.

Who were the victims?

Workers under the rural employment scheme, mostly women, reportedly from Alisher village, according to BBC Punjabi.