13 Teachers Killed in Road Mishap

Fazilka (Punjab): Thirteen teachers, including four women, were killed when their vehicle collided with a truck due to dense fog on Fazilka-Jalalabad road today, police said.

The police said the teachers were on their way to school and that the mishap was caused due to poor visibility.

Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal expressed grief over the incident and condoled the deaths.

He said the loss of teachers, who chisel young minds for the future of the nation, was "irreparable" and it has not only traumatised their families, but their students and the nation as well.

The Deputy CM and SAD chief said he and his government were with the bereaved families at this critical hour and pray to Almighty to grant them strength to bear the enormous loss.

He also advised all to use utmost caution while driving in the coming days when dense fog dominates during early and later hours of the day.

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh and AAP state convener Gurpreet Singh Ghuggi also condoled the deaths.

They said the incident was a sad moment and his heart went out to the bereaved families.

Amarinder asked the state government to change the school timings in order to ensure that "school teachers, students and other staff are not exposed to the risk of such accidents due to fog."

PTI