Four friends charred to death in Madhya Pradesh after car hits divider, catches fire

Police in Madhya Pradesh confirmed that four young men died after their vehicle struck a road divider and erupted into flames on Sunday night. A fifth passenger sustained critical injuries in the crash, which occurred at approximately 11:30 p.m. on a four-lane highway in Badnawar, Dhar district. The collision happened near a roadside eatery located between Sadalpur and Kherod. Authorities stated that the group was returning home after visiting the Sanwariya Seth temple when the car hit the divider of a culvert. The force of the impact caused the vehicle to fall off the structure, leading to a rapid fire that trapped the occupants inside. One passenger was ejected from the car during the initial impact, while the others had no opportunity to escape as the flames spread quickly. Emergency responders, including a police team and a fire engine, arrived at the scene to extinguish the blaze. The bodies of the victims were recovered and transported for autopsies. The deceased have been identified as Ankush Chaudhary, aged 20, and Chetan Chaudhary, also 20, both residents of Badi Sagaur. Aditya Tiwari, 19, who lived in Badi Sagaur, and Abhishek Solanki, 21, a resident of Suhagpur in Sagaur, also perished. The sole survivor, Tushar Mandloi, 20, lives in Madhopur, Sagaur. He received preliminary medical attention at the scene before being transferred to a hospital in Indore, where his condition remains critical. Police officers noted that the severity of the crash prevented rescue efforts for those trapped within the burning vehicle. A formal case has been registered regarding the incident, and an official investigation is currently underway. Local authorities emphasized that the quick spread of the fire following the structural failure of the vehicle was the primary factor preventing survival for the four victims. The specific causes of the vehicle hitting the divider remain under review by investigators.