Dr Rahul Yadav, Emergency Medical Officer at Shri Ram Hospital in Ayodhya, stated, “28-year-old Akash Yadav was run over by a truck near the Saryu River. He was a Kanwariya who had come from Gorakhpur to collect water from the Saryu River.”

He added that Yadav was brought to the hospital in a critical condition but was declared dead upon arrival following a primary medical examination and an ECG. Another person is critically injured and currently receiving medical treatment.

“He (Akash Yadav) hailed from Gulhariya Bazar in Gorakhpur district and was rushed here in an ambulance in critical condition. Following a primary medical examination and an ECG, doctors declared them dead upon arrival. While several companions and around 10 to 12 people had accompanied them, one person was in extremely critical condition and was immediately referred to the Medical College,” Dr Yadav said.

Separately, the Food Safety Department in Moradabad has intensified inspections of food and beverage outlets and installed QR codes to facilitate complaints from devotees during the pilgrimage.

As a proactive measure to ensure the safety and convenience of pilgrims, specialised QR codes have been affixed to all food stalls and shops along the Yatra route.

Food Safety Officer Kripashankar Singh said, “Strict action will be taken to prevent adulteration, overcharging, and negligence during the Sawan pilgrimage.”

The annual Kanwar Yatra draws hundreds of thousands of devotees from across India during Shravan. Pilgrims collect holy water from rivers and carry it over hundreds of kilometres to offer at Lord Shiva temples, demonstrating their devotion through this spiritual journey.