Vikash Sharma

Bhadrak: A pilgrimage trip turned into a nightmare for nearly 50 people from Uttar Pradesh, after their bus en route to Puri collided with a paddy-laden truck near Bhadrak in the early hours on Wednesday, killing two persons and leaving at least 40 others injured.

According to reports, the bus was carrying the pilgrims from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh on a 'Char Dham' Yatra.

Bhadrak Collector Gyana Das informed that the pilgrims were on their way to Puri when their bus rammed into a paddy-laden truck on NH-16 near Barikpur.

"Two persons have died while 38 persons sustained injuries in the mishap. At least five to six passengers, who have sustained multiple injuries, would be shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital," said Das.

A rescue operation was launched by locals, police and Odisha Fire Services personnel who shifted the injured to Bhadrak district headquarters hospital.

"After getting the emergency call, we rushed to the spot and rushed eight persons who were trapped in the bus after the mishap," said Jahir Ali Khan, a member of the rescue team.

Collector Das further informed that 12 persons who had a close shave in the mishap were shifted to a night shelter. "The state government will bear the cost of the treatment of all the injured," he added.

Bipin Pandey, one of the survivors of the bus mishap informed that nearly 55 to 60 persons were travelling in the bus which met with the acciddent.
"We had plans to visit Rameswaram and other religious places during the pilgrimage," said Pandey.

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