DHANUSA: A 13-year-old girl was killed after an out-of-control wedding chariot (rath) plowed into a marriage ceremony at Khatbaiya tol in Mukhiyapatti Musaharniya Rural Municipality-4. The deceased has been identified as Saraswati Mukhiya, the daughter of local resident Sanjay Mukhiya.

According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Madhusudan Neupane of the District Police Office, Dhanusha, Saraswati succumbed to her injuries during treatment.

The incident occurred last night during the Matkor ritual (a traditional wedding pre-ceremony) of local resident Keshwar Mukhiya’s daughter. While the ceremony was underway, a wedding chariot (registration number Pradesh 2-03-001 Cha 7468) suffered a sudden brake failure and veered uncontrollably into the crowd.

Another local resident, 35-year-old Kabitadevi Mukhiya (wife of Bikau Mukhiya), was injured when the vehicle crashed into the venue. She was rushed to the Provincial Hospital in Janakpurdham for treatment, police said.

The police have taken the chariot into custody, and a search is underway for the driver, who fled the scene following the accident.