At least eight people lost their lives and more than 25 were injured when a goods vehicle rammed into a crowd participating in a Ganesha procession at Mosale Hosahalli on the Hassan-Holenarasipur Road on Friday evening. The incident occurred when participants were dancing to music during the religious procession, and the vehicle suddenly veered into the crowd, catching them off guard.
The injured were rushed to hospitals in Hassan by ambulances, with 18 being treated at the Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences and seven others admitted to private hospitals, according to a late-night statement by Krishna Byre Gowda, Revenue Minister and in-charge of Hassan district. Officials fear that the death toll could rise as several victims remain critically injured. A majority of those affected were youths, including a student from the Government Engineering College at Mosale Hosahalli.
According to eyewitnesses, the movement of vehicles had been restricted to one lane while the procession occupied the other. The goods vehicle reportedly struck a two-wheeler before losing control and ploughing into the crowd. Video footage from the scene shows the vehicle making an abrupt turn before hitting the devotees. The driver, identified as Bhuvanesh, has been taken into police custody for questioning.
Local residents quickly called emergency services, and ambulances transported the injured to medical facilities. The tragedy drew crowds from surrounding villages, with relatives and family members of the victims visibly distraught.
Compensation Announced, Leaders Visit Site
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced ex-gratia payments of ₹5 lakh for the families of the deceased and assured that the government would cover medical expenses for those injured. In a post on social media, the Chief Minister expressed deep sorrow and wished the victims a swift recovery.
Several political leaders visited the site and hospitals. Holenarasipur MLA H.D. Revanna and his son, MLC Suraj Revanna, were present at the scene, while Hassan MLA Swaroop Prakash and MP Shreyas Patel checked on the injured at the hospital. Union Minister for Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy also expressed shock over the incident, describing it as “unfortunate” and calling upon the State government to ensure free treatment for the injured.
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