Three people were killed, and four others were injured after a speeding car ran over devotees watching videos at a Durga Puja pandal in Uttar Pradesh’s Balrampur district late Saturday night, October 17.. The accident took place around 11 pm in Charangahi Belha village, where people had gathered under a tent to watch a programme on a screen during Navratri.
The car, travelling from the Gaura Road side towards Siddharthnagar, suddenly entered the crowded area, hit the tent and ran over seven people before crashing into a wall. The impact threw some people several feet away, triggering panic and screams among those present.
Three killed, four injured
The injured were taken to the District Memorial Hospital in Balrampur, where doctors declared three people dead. The deceased were identified as Manoj Singh, Ganesh Pandey and Pateshwari Prasad.
The four injured were identified as Chhedi Ram, Ghop Ram, W and Mukesh Tiwari. They were referred to a higher medical centre in Bahraich for further treatment. All seven victims belonged to Charangahi Belha village, police said.
The bodies of the deceased were sent for post-mortem examination.
Driver taken into custody
A City Police Officer, Abhishek Singh, said the accident occurred when people gathered to watch videos screened at the pandal when the car hit them.
#WATCH | Balrampur, Uttar Pradesh: Abhishek Singh, City Police Officer, says, "In Charangahiya Belha village, under the jurisdiction of Kotwali Dehat police station, some individuals had gathered along the roadside to watch videos screened using curtains. Meanwhile, a vehicle passing by struck some people due to the darkness, resulting in an accident. Upon receiving the information, a police team immediately reached the spot. The injured were rushed to the District Memorial Hospital, where around seven people were admitted. Three of them have since died during treatment. The vehicle initially fled the scene but was intercepted after the police set up barricades and sealed the area. The driver has also been taken into police custody. A thorough investigation is underway; the injured are receiving medical treatment, and further legal action is being taken in the matter." (Source: Balrampur Police)
— ANI (@ANI) October 18, 2026
“In Charangahiya Belha village, under the jurisdiction of Kotwali Dehat police station, some individuals had gathered along the roadside to watch videos screened using curtains. Meanwhile, a vehicle passing by struck some people due to the darkness, resulting in an accident. Upon receiving the information, a police team immediately reached the spot,” Singh said.
He added that around seven people were admitted to the District Memorial Hospital, where three died during treatment.
“The vehicle initially fled the scene but was intercepted after the police set up barricades and sealed the area. The driver has also been taken into police custody. A thorough investigation is underway; the injured are receiving medical treatment, and further legal action is being taken in the matter,” he said.
The Ford car, bearing registration number UP 32 K 2425, was seized. Police are questioning the driver and examining whether he was under the influence of alcohol.
Religious programmes held every Navratri
The accident took place in Belha Gram Panchayat, under the Kotwali Dehat police station area, around 10 km from the district headquarters.
Local residents said villagers gather near the temple every Navratri to watch religious films and programmes, along with bhajans and religious discourses. On Saturday night, the gathering turned tragic when the car struck the devotees. Police are investigating the circumstances that led to the crash.
