At least four people were killed while another one critically injured as an oil tanker exploded after falling off Bada Pandusara bridge at Itamati in Nayagarh district in the wee hours on Saturday.
The deceased have been identified as Pankaj Nayaj, Dipu Khatua, Sameer Nayak and Chandan Khatua. All of them were local residents.
The injured was initially admitted to a hospital in Nayagarh and later shifted to Bhubaneswar.
As per reports, the tanker was coming from Paradip at around 1.45 am when the driver lost control over the wheels and the vehicle hit the fence of the bridge. After the collision, the tanker fell off the bridge.
Soon after the mishap, some local people rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. While the rescue operation was underway, the tanker which was fully loaded with oil exploded. Four local people involved in the rescue operation were charred to death.
Another person was seriously injured in the explosion. He was rushed to Nayagarh district headquarters hospital. Later he was shifted to another hospital in Bhubaneswar as his condition deteriorated.
Upon being informed, police and fire service personnel reached the spot and started rescue operation with the help of the local people. A pal of gloom descended the area after the tragic incident.