A gruesome road accident claimed three lives today on the busy Basanti Highway in the Minakhan area of North 24 Parganas. The tragedy occurred near the Minakhan Gram Panchayat office when a passenger-laden auto-rickshaw collided head-on with a speeding private car. While three people died on the spot, several others sustained life-threatening injuries and are currently battling for their lives.

According to local sources, the auto was heading towards Malancha and was carrying passengers beyond its capacity. Both the auto and the private car were reportedly traveling at high speeds, leading to a loss of control that resulted in the violent impact. The collision was so severe that the auto was completely crushed, and passengers were flung onto the asphalt. Local residents initiated the rescue operation before the police arrived. Some of the critically injured have been shifted to Kolkata for advanced treatment. Minakhan Police have seized both vehicles and launched an investigation into the incident, citing overspeeding and overloading as primary factors.