Dhenkanal: A pick-up van reportedly plying on the wrong side of a road ran over two minor girls and left another critically injured at Bazichowk in Dhenkanal district on Monday.
The minor girls were playing under Bazichowk flyover when the vehicle hit them after coming from the wrong side. The deceased duo was aged 5 and 7 years respectively.
A 10-year-old girl, who was also present there, sustained critical injuries in the mishap and has been admitted to a nearby hospital.
According to initial reports, the families of the two deceased girls earn livelihood by selling honey on the roadside. The mishap occurred when their family members were away.
While tension erupted following the mishap, officials from Town Police Station, Sadar Tehsildar and SDPO arrived on the spot to take stock of the situation.
"A pick-up van hit the people from banjara community when they were under the flyover bridge. Two minor girls have died while another sustained injuries and undergoing treatment. The situation here is now under control," said Sadar SDPO.
Asked about the preventive measures to avoid such mishaps, the SDPO said, "We will keep a vigil and ensure that no vehicle ply on the wrong route."
In another road accident in Nuapada district, two persons were killed while 25 others were injured after a pick-up van they were travelling in overturned on Monday. The mishap occurred near Krishna Chhak under Komana police limits when the van driver was returning from a marriage.