Bhanjanagar: A tragic road accident claimed two lives and left twelve others injured, including five critically, while they were on their way to attend a religious feast at a temple. The mishap occurred on Tuesday on the Bhanjanagar-Sorada main road, between Kulangi and Bada Borasing villages under Gangapur police station limits in Ganjam district.
According to reports, the victims were travelling in a pickup van from Baghalingi village to Sana Borasing to participate in a religious feast. The pickup van reportedly lost control, hit a roadside culvert, and overturned. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation, but eyewitness accounts from the injured suggest the vehicle may have lost balance.
The injured were rushed to Bhanjanagar Sub Divisional Hospital by ambulance. Among them, two persons were declared dead on arrival: Badal Gouda (16) from Baghalingi village under Sorada police station, and Chandrama Gouda (30), wife of Bulu Gouda from Keshari Patna.
Five others in critical condition—Sangita Gouda (46), Anita Gouda (36), Sanju Gouda (40), Prakash Chandra Gouda (48), and Magata Gouda (60), all from Baghalingi—were shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for advanced treatment.
The remaining injured identified as Puja Gouda (12), Chandrama Gouda (15), Hadiani Gouda (41), Swapnarani Gouda (6), Kundan Gouda (62), Jhiani Gouda (46), and Rudra Gouda (10), are currently undergoing treatment at Bhanjanagar Sub Divisional Hospital.
The accident has cast a pall of gloom over the local community, with the hospital premises filled with grieving relatives and villagers.
Following the incident, district officials, including Sub-Collector Uma Shankar Behera, Belaguntha Tehsildar Kalakrushna Pradhan, Additional Superintendent of Police Ranjan Kumar De, Transport Officer Subhendu Ranjan Ray, and others visited the hospital.
They took stock of the situation, enquired about the treatment being provided and instructed hospital authorities to ensure the best possible care for the injured.
