At least 8 dead, over 20 injured as truck ran over festival crowd in southwestern India

Truck driver apparently lost control and drove into crowd celebrating final day of Ganesh festival in village in Karnataka state's Hassan district, reports media

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA) – A truck ran over a festival crowd in southwestern India on Friday, killing at least eight people and injuring more than 20 others.

The truck driver apparently lost control and drove into a crowd celebrating the final day of the Ganesh festival in a village in Karnataka state's Hassan district around 8.45 pm (1515GMT), according to local Odisha TV.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival commemorating the birth of Ganesha, the elephant-headed deity believed to bring prosperity and wisdom and remove obstacles.

"Most of the deceased are young boys," police sources were quoted by the media outlet as saying.

Over 20 people were seriously injured and transported to the hospital.

The truck lost control and crashed into the devotees, the broadcaster reported, citing eyewitnesses.

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