Over 20 injured as bus rams into bridge divider in Odisha’s Sonepur

At least 20 people sustained injuries after a private passenger bus met with an accident near the Murmuri Bridge in Binka block of Sonepur district on Wednesday.

The bus, Shubhalaxmi, reportedly carrying around 40 passengers, was travelling from Bargarh to Bheden via Binka when the mishap occurred. 

According to eyewitnesses, the vehicle lost balance while crossing the Murmuri Bridge and crashed into the bridge divider.

Sudden Loss of Control Blamed

Preliminary information suggests that the driver may have lost control of the vehicle due to overspeeding or a possible mechanical failure. The impact of the collision caused panic among passengers, many of whom sustained minor to moderate injuries.

Local residents and passersby rushed to the scene and assisted in rescuing the injured passengers. Emergency services arrived shortly after and transported the injured to a nearby hospital in Binka. A few critically injured passengers were later referred to a district hospital for advanced treatment.

Meanwhile, police have initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident. 

Locals Demand Safety Measures

Following the incident, locals have raised concerns over frequent accidents on the Murmuri Bridge and have demanded stricter traffic regulations, routine maintenance of roads and bridges, and regular vehicle fitness checks for passenger buses operating in the region.