15 laborers sleeping near the pavement along the road were mowed down by a truck in Gurjarat's Surat early in the morning.
While 12 of the laborers died on the spot, three were rushed to a nearby hospital however, they succumbed their injuries during treatment at the hospital.
CM Jadega, Deputy Superintendent of Police of Kamrej division in Surat was quoted by ANI as, "A truck collided with a tractor loaded with sugarcane after which the truck driver lost control of the vehicle and drove it over the pavement where the labourers were sleeping."
The deceased belonged to Banswada district in Rajasthan.
Prime Minister Modi tweeted after the incident. He wrote, "The loss of lives due to a truck accident in Surat is tragic. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying that the injured recover at the earliest."
The loss of lives due to a truck accident in Surat is tragic. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Praying that the injured recover at the earliest: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 19, 2021