3 dead, several injured after milk truck collides with several cars at Sikkim fair; Ex-Gratia announced

Sikkim Fair: 3 dead and several injured after a milk tanker lost control and rammed several vehicles parked near a fair in Ranipool, Sikkim on Saturday. CCTV footage of the incident has gone viral on the internet.

Gangtok: At least three people were killed and as many as 20 injured after a milk tanker rammed three cars parked near a fair in Sikkim's Ranipool on Saturday evening. The people who had gathered in the area were crushed under the milk tanker as the force of the collision pushed them into the mela ground. The CCTV footage of the incident has gone viral, showing the car being pushed to the ground after the tanker rammed into the people. Bystanders rushed to help the injured who fell under the vehicles.

According to Gangtok DM Tushar Nikhare, “The Tambola program was going on in Ranipur around 7.30 am. During the program a truck entered there, killing 3 people. Around 20 patients have been admitted to hospital… They are undergoing treatment… The Sikkim government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh for the family of the deceased. The state government will bear the cost of treating the injured… An investigation is underway….”

#WATCH | Sikkim: Gangtok DM Tushar Nikhare said, “The Tambola program took place in Ranipur around 7.30 in the evening. During the program a truck entered there, killing 3 people. About 20 patients have been hospitalized… They are undergoing… pic.twitter.com/cGylTDW0JL

— ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2024

Preliminary investigation revealed that the accident occurred when the brake of the milk tanker failed. The injured have been taken to hospital and the death toll is likely to rise.

The mela ground was filled with locals at the time of the accident as a 'tambola' game was being held there.

It was striking that the milk tanker bore the label of the Sikkim Milk Union.