At least 12 passengers were killed and several others injured in a head-on collision involving an OSRTC bus and a private bus in Ganjam district on Monday.
The tragic road mishap reportedly took place near Digapahandi in Ganjam district.
All the injured passengers of the Odisha State Road Transport Corporation bus and the private bus have been admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur.
"We have information of death of 10 people in the accident while six persons are undergoing treatment at MKCG hospital. A critically injured person has been shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. All arrangements have been made here for the treatment of the injured persons," informed Ganjam Collector Dibyajyoti Parida.
Speaking to mediapersons, Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek said, "Prima facie, it seems to be a case of head-on collision between two buses at around 1 am. Several passengers of the private bus have been killed and injured in the accident while those in the OSRTC bus have sustained minor injuries."
While the OSRTC bus was en-route Bhubaneswar from Rayagada, the private bus was returning from Berhampur, carrying a marriage party from Khandadeuli village in the district, he informed.
The Berhampur SP further said that Digapahandi police and fire services personnel rushed to the spot and rescued several passengers. "The actual reason behind the accident is still unclear, our investigation is on," he added.
Meanwhile, the Odisha government has announced Rs 30,000 for each injured person for treatment. "In a tragic bus accident last night near Khemundi College under Sanakhemundi tahasil,10 people died. 8 injured persons under treatment at MKCG Medical College, Berhampur. Rs 30 thousand provided to each injured person for treatment under supervision of @Ganjam_Admin," tweeted SRC, Govt of Odisha.
Till the last report came in, two more persons succumbed to their injuries taking the death toll to 12. Of them, six were men, four were women and two were minors.
CM announces ex-gratia
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the tragic mishap in Ganjam and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (CMRF) for the next of kin of 12 persons killed in the mishap. The CM also ordered free treatment for those injured in the mishap.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also condoled the loss of lives in the mishap. "Anguished by the tragic road accident in Digapahandi (Odisha) that claimed precious lives. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with their family members. May the Almighty give them the strength to bear this. I also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," Shah tweeted.
"I am deeply saddened to hear the news of the fatal bus accident near Khemundi College in Digapahandi of Ganjam district. I express my deepest condolences to bereaved families and pray to Lord Jagannath for the speedy recovery of the injured," tweeted BJP National Vice President Baijayant Panda.
Expressing grief over the mishap, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan wishes a speedy recovery for those injured.