The festive atmosphere in Mosale Hosahalli village of Hassan taluk turned into a scene of horror on Friday night when a speeding canter truck ploughed into a Ganesh Visarjan procession on National Highway 373. The accident claimed nine lives and left more than 17 others critically injured, most of them young engineering students. Families of the victims are in deep mourning as questions are being raised over police preparedness and the driver’s reckless conduct.
Police confirmed the identities of the nine victims, who include several teenagers and students. Among them were Praveen, a final-year BE student from Bellary; Rajesh (17) of Halekote Hobli K.B. Palya in Holenarasipur taluk; Eeshwar (17) of Koppalu in Danayakanahalli; Gokul (17) of Muttigehiralli; Kumar (25) and another Praveen (25) of Kabbinahalli; Mithun (23) of Gavi Gangapura village in Hosadurga taluk, Chitradurga district; Suresh (19) of Manenahalli in Chikkamagaluru; and Prabhakar (55) of Bantarahalli in Hassan taluk.
Their families, many of whom rushed to hospitals overnight, were inconsolable. “We sent our children to college with hope. They went to immerse the idol, not knowing they would not return,” said one grieving parent.
Southern Range IGP Boralingaiah confirmed that negligence by the canter driver caused the tragedy. “So far, nine deaths have been confirmed, including six locals and three students from Bellary, Chikkamagaluru, and Chitradurga. Seventeen others are injured and undergoing treatment,” he told reporters.
According to him, the truck first hit a bike and a barricade before veering into the crowd. The driver, who was also injured, is being treated at a private hospital and will face legal action.
Hassan SP Mohammad Sujetha said the accident occurred around 8 pm, when the Ganesh Visarjan procession was underway. “The truck was heading towards Holenarasipur from Hassan. Currently, evidence suggests that the driver was solely responsible. The SOCO team and a group of experts are inspecting the site,” she stated.
The Ganesh murti had been installed next to the Government Engineering College in Mosale Hosahalli. As in previous years, students actively participated in the Visarjan procession. On September 12, traffic diversions were in place, with one side of the highway blocked and two-way traffic allowed on the other. Barricades had been erected, but witnesses say enforcement was lax.
Around 8:30 pm, the canter sped into the procession after clipping a bike. Before the revellers could react to the DJ’s music, the truck rammed into them, causing instant casualties. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, with bodies strewn and cries for help piercing the night. Ambulances and police teams rushed in, moving the injured to Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS) and other hospitals.
Former minister and current MLA H.D. Revanna, who rushed to the spot, squarely blamed the police. “This incident happened due to total negligence of the department. Barricades should have been placed at a distance, and police protection must have been ensured. Shockingly, there was no police presence during the procession,” Revanna alleged.
He claimed that 25 people were injured in total and urged the Superintendent of Police to take the matter seriously. “This is nothing but the failure of the police administration,” he said.
Revanna further demanded compensation of at least Rs 15 lakh for each bereaved family. “The driver was allegedly under the influence of alcohol. His recklessness has killed nine innocent people. Both the driver and the vehicle owner must face strict action. The government should immediately announce relief and justice for the victims’ families,” he insisted.
