Girl killed; seven others hurt after tractor ran amok during Ganesh immersion procession in Dharmavaram

A police official taking statement from an injured girl at Government Hospital in Dharmavaram of Sri Sathya Sai district on September 19, 2026. Photo: Special arrangement. A nine-year-old girl was killed, and seven others were grievously hurt when a tractor ran amok and ploughed into the crowds during the Ganesh immersion procession in Dharmavaram of Sri Sathya Sai district on Friday (September 18, 2026) night.Police identified the deceased as Varshita (9). The incident was reported at Sivanagar Bramhamgari Temple in the town. The injured were shifted to the area hospital.“When the devotees were getting ready for the procession, the driver handling a tractor lost control on a narrow stretch and ran into the crowds, leading to the tragedy. The driver is being taken into custody, and the vehicle has been seized. A case has been registered,” a police official said.Immediately after the mishap, Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav prompted the health department officials to provide quality medical care to the victims. Dharmavaram constituency in-charge for the Minister, Mr. Harish Babu, rushed to the government hospital and spoke to the doctors and the deceased’s family members.Meanwhile, Minister Satya Kumar Yadav spoke to the family members over the phone, expressing deep shock and anguish over the incident. He assured the family that the government would stand by them and extend all possible assistance. The Minister further said that the government would bear the medical expenses of the injured. Published - September 19, 2026 11:46 am IST