Evening news wrap: 11 dead, 4 critical as SUV plunges into Saryu canal in UP’s Gonda; SpiceJet staff assaulted at Srinagar airport & more
A tragic accident in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda district claimed the lives of 11 devotees who were en route to Ayodhya when the SUV carrying them plunged into a canal. At Srinagar Airport on July 26, a senior Army official assaulted four SpiceJet employees after being asked to pay for excess baggage. The airline reported that its staff sustained serious injuries. Meanwhile, an Indian-origin family that went missing in the United States during a road trip was found dead in a car crash.Here are the top five news stories for the evening:11 dead, 4 critical as SUV plunges into Saryu canal in UP’s Gonda; CM announces Rs 5 lakh aidEleven people, including four children, died and four were critically injured after an SUV carrying 15 passengers fell into the Saryu canal in Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh. The victims, all from the same village, were en route to the Prithvinath temple in Ayodhya for Jalabhishek when the accident occurred. Locals and divers helped rescue the injured. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences and announced Rs 5 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased. The vehicle was later pulled from the canal with the help of a crane. Read full story SpiceJet staff assaulted at Srinagar airport; jaw fractured, spine injured in baggage disputeA senior Army official allegedly assaulted four SpiceJet employees at Srinagar Airport after being asked to pay for excess baggage. The incident left one staffer with a broken jaw and another with a spinal injury. The altercation occurred at the check-in counter, where the official reportedly reacted violently when informed of airline baggage policies. SpiceJet condemned the attack and called for strict action. The airline confirmed that medical treatment was provided and an FIR has been filed. Authorities are investigating the incident. Read full story Indian-origin family missing in US found dead after car crashFour Indian-origin family members who went missing in the US were found dead in a car crash in Georgia. The victims were last seen on at a Burger King in Tennessee while en route to a Hindu temple. Authorities located their bodies and car submerged in a creek near Marshall County, West Virginia. The cause of the accident remains under investigation. Read full story No directive to stop Russian oil imports despite US pressure, says report amid Trump tariff warningDespite mounting US pressure and President Donald Trump‘s recent tariff threats, Indian refiners have not received any official directive to halt Russian oil imports, according to a report. Washington has been urging New Delhi to scale back purchases from Moscow, but no formal instruction has been issued to state-run or private refineries. India continues to buy discounted Russian crude amid global supply concerns. Read full story Meet Arvinder Singh Behl: 80-year-old man set to fly to space on Blue Origin missionArvinder Singh Behl, an 80-year-old adventurer from Agra is set to fly to space aboard Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin suborbital mission on August 3. A retired financial services professional and avid traveler, Behl will be one of six crew members on the NS-25 flight. His journey makes him one of the oldest individuals to go to space, showcasing his lifelong passion for adventure. The mission is part of Blue Origin’s commercial space tourism initiative and marks a milestone in inclusive space travel. Read full story
