Bhubaneswar: At least 12 passengers were killed and several others sustained varying degrees of injuries after an OSRTC bus collided head-on with a private bus near Digapahandi in Odisha’s Ganjam district in the wee hours of Monday.
Of the 12 dead, seven passengers belong to the same family.
The injured passengers of both buses have been admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur.
Ganjam Collector Dibyajyoti Parida said, “We have information of 10 persons being killed in the accident while six persons are undergoing treatment in MKCG Hospital. One critically injured person has been shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.”
Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek said, “Prima facie, it appears to be a case of a head-on collision between two buses at around 1.00 am on Monday. Several passengers of the private bus have been killed and injured in the accident. Most passengers travelling by the OSRTC bus have sustained minor injuries.”
The OSRTC bus was going to Bhubaneswar from Rayagada, while the private bus was returning from Berhampur with a marriage party from Khandadeuli village in the district, Vivek added.
Digapahandi police and Fire Services personnel rushed to the spot and rescued all the passengers. However, the actual reason behind the accident is yet to be ascertained and an investigation is underway.
Meanwhile, the Odisha government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 30,000 for each injured person for treatment. The SRC tweeted, “In a tragic bus accident last night near Khemundi College under Sanakhemundi Tahasil,10 people died and 8 injured persons are under treatment at MKCG Medical College, Berhampur. Rs 30,000 has been provided to each injured person for treatment under the supervision of @Ganjam_Admin.”
Two more passengers succumbed to their injuries till the last report came in taking the toll to 12. The deceased include six men, four women, and two minors.
