At least seven labourers were killed and three others seriously injured when the cowdung manure loaded mini truck turned turtle at a ghat road in Kandhamal district on Monday morning, the police said.
According to reports, 13 persons were sitting atop the loaded truck coming from Balandapada while it skidded off Pakari ghat road under Gochhapara police station, and went down at least 20 feet below, SDPO Prabhat Mohapatra said. After rescuers managed to lift the over-turned vehicle, seven of its occupants were found to be buried to death in the cowdung manure while three others injured were sent to district headquarters here for treatment. All the deceased belonged to nearby hamlets, the SDPO said adding the driver, helper and another person were absconding. The manure was taken by one Sanatan Muduli of Gochhapara area, said the police sources.