A van overturned and hit an SUV in Dhar city of Madhya Pradesh, killing 12 workers and injuring 20 others.

New Delhi: Twelve workers were killed and 20 others injured when the pickup truck they were traveling in overturned and collided with an SUV in Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district on Wednesday night, officials said. The accident occurred between 8:30 and 9 p.m. According to preliminary information, around 35 laborers were returning home from Baghad when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The van then overturned and hit an oncoming SUV.Dhar district chief Abhishek Choudhary said all the victims died on the spot and the seriously injured were sent to Indore after initial treatment. The police have registered a case and started investigating the incident. Prime Minister Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced an ex-gratia assistance of Rs 200,000 each for the family of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also expressed his condolences and announced financial assistance of 400,000 rupees for the families of the deceased, 100,000 rupees for the seriously injured, and 50,000 rupees for the minor injuries. Yadav added that officials, including the Indore divisional commissioner and the inspector general, have been directed to go to Dhar and ensure proper treatment of the injured and the treatment will be provided free of cost.(with PTI input)