Vikash Sharma

Berhampur: At least ten persons were electrocuted to death and over 40 others injured, when a private bus in which they were travelling, came in contact with an 11KV live transmission wire near Golanthara in Ganjam district on Sunday.

According to sources, members of a few families and their relatives were travelling in the private bus named 'Silk City' from Dangalpadu to Chikarada village to attend an engagement ceremony when the luggage carrier of the bus came in contact with the overhead transmission line along the road at Melapataru under Golanthara police limits of Ganjam district.

Acting swiftly, fire services personnel disconnected power supply in the transmission line and rescued passengers with the help of police personnel and local people. All the injured were subsequently shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur.

Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Sukant Sethi said, "The incident will be thoroughly probed to ascertain the circumstances leading to the mishap."

Berhampur SP Pinak Mishra confirmed that the mishap occurred after the bus came in contact with live electric wire. "So far five bodies have been recovered and all the injured have been rescued," Mishra said.

"The officials of Southern Electricity Supply Company Of Odisha Limited (SOUTHCO) will examine the circumstance leading to the mishap. A case will be registered and action will be taken on the basis of the report," the SP added.

While nine of the deceased have been identified as B Eramma Reddy, B Achiamma, K Sandhya, CH Kamaraju Reddy, B Mohini, B Ramya, CH Tulsama, Santosini Sahu and B Tareneya Reddy, identity of another deceased was not known immediately. 

"A report has been sought from SOUTHCO to know at what height the 11KV wire was hanging. An investigation will be launched after receiving the report and action will be taken accordingly," said Chairman and Managing director of OPTCL, Sourav Garg.

State Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera blamed the electricity department and bus driver for the mishap. He assured that strict action will be taken against those found guilty after completion of the investigation.

"Golanthara Police registered a suo-motu case under section 279, 304 (A), 337 and 338 of IPC in connection with the mishap. Berhampur ASP will head the probe into the incident. The bus driver absconding after the mishap," informed SP Pinak Mishra.

Expressing grief over the mishap, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for the family each deceased and free treatment for those injured.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also expressed grief over death of the passengers in the mishap and speed recovery of injured persons. He said the circumstances leading to the mishap should be thoroughly probed and utmost cautions should be taken to ensure that such mishap does not reoccur in future.

BJP national vice-president Baijayant Panda expressed condolences to the families of deceased and wished speed recovery to the injured persons.

 

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