Chittorgarh, 27 August (Kiran News). A major accident occurred late Tuesday night in Rajasthan’s Chittorgarh district under Rashmi police station, when a van relying on Google Maps to find its route was swept away while crossing a culvert on the Banas river that had been closed for three years. Four occupants of the van are missing, while five were rescued by police and local villagers.
According to police, nine members of a family from Kanakheda village in the Bhupalsagar police station area of Chittorgarh district had gone to Sawai Bhoj in Bhilwara district for religious purposes on Tuesday. On their return, the family stopped in Bhilwara and then started for home, using Google Maps for directions. During the journey, the map led them to the Somi-Upereda culvert on the Banas river, which had been closed for a long time and had water flowing over it. The driver attempted to cross the culvert with the van, which got stuck in a pit and was later swept away by the strong current. Somehow, the van’s occupants managed to call for help. Soon, a large number of villagers gathered at the spot, and police were informed. Senior police and administrative officials also reached the site. Using a boat brought by villagers, five people were rescued safely. Four others, including two small children, were swept away by the water and are still missing. A civil defence team was called for the search. The team reached the site around 3:15 am, but the rescue operation could not begin due to darkness. Rashmi SDM, Gangrar Deputy Prabhu Lal, and Rashmi SHO Devendra Dewal were present at the scene with their teams.
Search Continues for Four
All nine van occupants are relatives from the Gadari community. Among them, Madanlal (25), son of Devilal; Hitesh (16), son of Sohan; Leela (18), wife of Devilal; Kavyansh (9 months), son of Madan; and Aayansh (9 months), son of Devilal, were rescued by police and villagers. However, Chanda (21), wife of Hemraj; Mamta (25), wife of Madan; Khushi (4), daughter of Madan; and Rutvi (6), daughter of Hemraj, are missing, and the search is ongoing.
Map Led to a Closed Route
It came to light that the Matrikundiya dam had received significant water inflow, prompting the administration to issue an alert. Around 10 pm on Tuesday, sirens sounded and the dam gates were opened. The administration had blocked access to the Banas river culvert with stones and JCBs on all lower approach roads. The family, who had been living elsewhere and was visiting the village, was unaware that the Somi-Upereda culvert had been closed for three years. They first took the Sankhli route, but found a JCB blocking the culvert. So, they used Google Maps to reach the Somi-Upereda culvert, where the accident occurred.
Family Ignored Relatives’ Advice
Police took full statements from the rescued family members. Hitesh stated that they left home at 9:30 am on Tuesday, visiting Gangapur and then Sawai Bhoj, followed by Demali, and finally Bhilwara, where they had dinner at a relative’s home. The relatives had advised them to stay overnight as it was late, but one of Hitesh’s sisters-in-law insisted on returning home due to religious reasons.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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