An auto-rickshaw and a truck had a head-on collision on NH-49 near Tabalakata Chhak in the Kuchinda area of Sambalpur district on Monday, killing at least three persons and leaving five others critically injured.
The auto-rickshaw with eight persons onboard was on its way towards Kuchinda when an oil tanker hit it. Three occupants died on the spot under the impact of the collision.
The deceased were identified as the driver Atish Nayak (56), Saraswati Pangi (35) and Tanuja Panigrahi (50). The injured were rushed to the Kuchinda Hospital.
Tension prevailed for some time after the accident as irate locals blocked the highway demanding compensation for the families of the deceased and for the injured.