Factcheck: Karnataka Ganesh Procession Accident: Truck Driver Identified as Bhuvanesh, Not Muslim

On 12 September 2025, a tragic accident occurred in Mosale Hosahalli village in the Hassan district of Karnataka. During a Ganesh procession, a truck lost control and rammed into the devotees in the procession.. The disaster killed at least nine people and left more than twenty others injured. The procession was part of the concluding rituals of Ganesh Chaturthi, where devotees carry and immerse the idol in water. The incident happened on a busy route (NH-373), as the truck was reported to have lost control, crossed the median, and then struck the procession crowd. An FIR has been filed, and investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances, including whether vehicle malfunction, speed, road conditions or other factors contributed.

The accident has generated widespread grief, with leaders and public figures expressing condolences. The chief minister announced compensation for victims, and the government pledged support for the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the accident a heart-rending tragedy.

Several social media users are simultaneously alleging that the driver involved in the procession incident is Muslim. The post claims that the name of the truck driver is Mohammad Feroz and It's terrorist attack in Karnataka, India.

Factcheck:

The claim is false. The driver has been identified by police as Bhuvanesh

To verify the viral claims, we conducted a keyword search on Google and found a report by The Hindu dated September 13. According to the report the tragic incident occurred in Mosale Hosahalli village of Hassan district, Karnataka, took place around 8:45 p.m., resulting in the deaths of at least nine people and injuring 20 others. The driver, identified as Bhuvanesh from Katte Belaguli village in Holenarasipura taluk, was arrested by the police.

On further search we found the reply of Hassan Superintendent of Police, Sujeetha IAS on IANS. She identified the prime accused as the truck driver, Bhuvanesh, and said the entire accident site is undergoing forensic examination to determine whether mechanical failure or any other factors contributed to the crash.

We also found an X post by Sujeetha IAS clarifying the incident.

The claim that the truck driver who rammed the Ganesh procession in Hassan was a Muslim is false. Multiple reputable news organisations citing the FIR and police statements identify the driver as Bhuvanesh and say there is no evidence of a communal motive.