Delhi-Agra Expressway accident kills 13 in multi-vehicle collision and fire in Mathura

At least thirteen people died and around 60 were injured in a serious accident on the Delhi–Agra Expressway in Mathura early Tuesday morning. The accident happened when seven buses and three cars collided, causing several of the vehicles to catch fire. The incident occurred around 4:00 am near Milestone 127, in the Baldev police station area. Dense fog in the region likely reduced visibility and contributed to the crash.

Local villagers and eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic. One eyewitness said, “An accident took place, and nearly 3-4 buses caught fire. I was sleeping when it happened. The bus was fully occupied. All seats were full. The accident occurred around 4 am.” Injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals using nearly 20 ambulances.

Senior officials, including the District Magistrate (DM) and Superintendent of Police (SP), arrived at the site shortly after the accident. Rescue operations are ongoing, with teams from the police, fire department, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) working to control the fire and assist victims.

Financial aid announced, fog blamed for multiple accidents

Following the tragedy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured. The Prime Minister’s Office tweeted, “The loss of lives due to a mishap on the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura is extremely painful. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh will be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured will be given Rs 50,000.”

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also announced similar compensation, providing Rs 2 lakh to families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

This accident comes a day after dense fog reduced visibility across highways in North India, causing several serious crashes. On Monday, a major accident occurred on Highway 152D, also known as the Trans-Haryana Expressway, near Kharkara village in Rohtak district. Several vehicles, including trucks, buses, and cars, collided due to poor visibility, resulting in two deaths and 25 injuries.

Another accident took place on Rewari Road in Jhajjar, where a bus collided with a stationary truck between Kulana and Gurawada villages. The bus driver was seriously injured, while several passengers had minor injuries. The bus was carrying about 50 passengers and was traveling from Khatu Shyam in Rajasthan to Bahadurgarh in Haryana. The injured driver was shifted to PGI Jhajjar for treatment.

History of accidents on expressways

This is not the first time major accidents have occurred on highways due to fog or reckless driving. About a month ago, a double-decker sleeper bus traveling from Delhi to Bihar overturned on the Agra–Lucknow Expressway near Kanpur’s Arauli area. The bus hit the central divider at high speed and flipped over. Three people were killed, and several others were injured. Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with broken glass, scattered luggage, and passengers crying for help.

Highways in North India are particularly vulnerable during winter mornings when dense fog reduces visibility. Experts have warned that drivers should exercise extra caution during such conditions and avoid overtaking or speeding. Many accidents in recent years have been linked to fog and low visibility on major highways, highlighting the need for stricter traffic monitoring and early warning systems.

Authorities have been urging drivers to maintain safe distances, use fog lights, and drive at lower speeds during foggy weather. Emergency services, including ambulances, police, and fire teams, are now better equipped to respond quickly to accidents, but the loss of life remains significant.

The accident has left families devastated, with many losing loved ones and others awaiting updates on the injured. Local hospitals are dealing with a large number of patients, and authorities are coordinating to provide medical care and support. Villagers and eyewitnesses helped in the initial rescue, highlighting the community’s role in emergencies.

The Delhi–Agra Expressway is one of India’s busiest highways, carrying hundreds of vehicles every day. Accidents like this not only cause loss of life but also disrupt traffic, create chaos, and place a heavy burden on emergency services. Safety measures, including proper signage, speed monitoring, and fog alerts, are critical to prevent such incidents in the future.

Officials are investigating the exact cause of the crash, though dense fog is considered a major factor. The combination of reduced visibility, multiple vehicles, and early morning timing made the accident especially deadly. Families of the deceased are being supported with financial aid and counseling, while injured victims continue to receive treatment in local hospitals.

The Delhi–Agra Expressway accident in Mathura has claimed 13 lives and injured dozens more. Dense fog across North India continues to pose serious risks on highways, leading to multiple accidents in recent days. Authorities are urging drivers to remain cautious, follow safety rules, and avoid unnecessary travel during low-visibility conditions. The government has announced compensation for victims’ families, and rescue teams remain on high alert to manage the aftermath.