In a tragic incident, at least 21 devotees from Nepal sustained injuries after a tourist bus ferrying them met with an accident on NH-16 near College Square in Soro of Balasore district in the wee hours of Sunday.
As per initial reports, around 60 passengers from Nepal were travelling in the tourist bus which was on its way to Puri. Sources said that the tourist bus collided with a truck standing on the road. Following the accident, a rescue operation was launched and all the injured were admitted to Soro hospital. The condition of the bus driver is said to be critical.
Indraprasad Yadav, a tourist said, "The accident occurred at around 4 am today. Around 15 to 20 persons have been injured. The truck escaped from the spot."
Kamlesh, another tourist said, "We were on our way to Puri for a darshan when our bus met with an accident. Most of the passengers have sustained minor injuries."
Basant Rout, a local resident said, "The truck was standing on the road and the bus rammed it from behind. After getting information, we rushed to the spot and made necessary arrangements for the passengers from Nepal."