Dhenkanal: In a shocking incident, at least six passengers were killed and 25 others injured, when a private bus in which they were travelling, came in contact with an 11KV live transmission wire at Bhuban in Dhenkanal district on Tuesday.
The injured have been shifted to Bhuban and Dhenkanal hospitals for treatment. According to information reaching here, eight critically injured were shifted to SCB medical college and hospital in Cuttack.
The deceased are identified as Rakabini Nayak (Sukinda), Ramachandra Nayak, Govinda Soren, Bhabani Sahu (Rairakhol), Govinda Sendha and Manas Das (Surapratapur).
The incident took place near Sishumandir Square in Bhuban when the ill-fated ‘Sanyasi’ bus, which was going from Cuttack to Birasal near Kamakhyanagar in the district, took a diversion due to a road blockade by locals following a truck accident on the main road. Eyewitnesses said, luggage carrier of the bus came in contact with the overhead sagging 11KV live wire leaving at least six dead on the spot. The driver of the bus is absconding soon after the incident.
Local tehsildar, sub-collector and police officials rushed to the spot and expedited the rescue operation.
Meanwhile, Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for kin of each of the deceased. Expressing grief over the incident he has prayed for early recovery of the injured. Patnaik also declared that the State government will bear all medical expenses of the injured, who are undergoing treatment at various hospitals.
"It is very tragic," Patnaik said.
Similarly, Odisha Power Transmission Corporation Limited (OPTCL) declared Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia each to the family of dead.
While Energy minister Pranab Prakash Das has ordered a probe into the matter, Commerce and Transport minister Ramesh Majhi sought a detailed report on the incident.