Nagpur: In a devastating road accident on Thursday morning, four minor boys were killed and two others critically injured after a speeding truck mowed them down in Maharashtra’s Gadchiroli district. The injured have been airlifted to Nagpur for emergency treatment.

The incident occurred between 5 am and 6 am near Katli village on the Armori-Gadchiroli Highway, approximately 12 km from the district headquarters. According to preliminary reports, the six minors, aged between 12 and 16, were resting on the roadside after a morning walk when the truck lost control and hit them.

Two boys — Pinku Namdev Bhoyar and Tanmay Balaji Mankar — died on the spot. Dishant Duryadhan Meshram and Tushar Rajendra Marbate succumbed to injuries during treatment at the District General Hospital. The remaining two, Kshitij Tulnidas Meshram and Aditya Dhananjay Kohapte, were critically injured and airlifted to KIMS-Kingsway Hospital in Nagpur.

Following the tragedy, angry residents blocked the Armori-Gadchiroli Highway, causing major traffic disruption. Villagers from Katli, Sakhra, and Porla rushed to the accident site, demanding strict action against the negligent driver.

Maharashtra Deputy CM and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis expressed deep grief over the loss. “Extremely pained by the tragic accident. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. We stand by them during this difficult time,” he stated.

KIMS Kingsway Hospital confirmed that the two admitted boys, aged 13 and 14, are in critical but stable condition. A multidisciplinary team of specialists, including pediatric surgeons, intensivists, and orthopedic experts, is providing round-the-clock care in the hospital’s advanced Pediatric ICU.

Further updates on their condition are awaited.