At least 20 patients had a providential escape after a bus they were travelling in caught fire after hitting a road divider in Nayagarh district in the early hours of Monday.
The mishap occurred at around 5 am today when the bus was ferrying patients from Sai Seva Sadan Hospital at Kuhudi of Khordha to Harabhanga of Boudh district.
On the way, the bus driver lost control over the wheels and the vehicle hit a divider near Banigochha police station. The bus went into flames soon after the collision.
Upon being informed, fire services personnel from Dasapalla immediately rushed to the spot and brought the fire under control.
All the patients on board the bus were rescued and shifted to Dasapalla and Banigochha health centres. The health condition of all patients was stated to be stable.
While the police launched a probe into the case, the bus driver, helper have escaped from the spot.
Reported by Sanjib Sahoo, OTV