In a heartrending incident, at least six persons were killed and 25 others critically injured as a bus by which they were travelling came in contact with an 11-KV electric wire and caught fire at Sishu Mandir Chhak in Bhuban of Dhenkanal district on Tuesday.
The injured were admitted to the Bhuban Community Health Centre (CHC) for treatment. Eight of them were later shifted to the SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack as their conditions deteriorated.
According to reports, the bus ‘Sanyasi’ was on its way to Kamakshyanagar from Jajpur carrying 40 to 45 passengers. The luggage loaded over the vehicle came in contact with the low-lying 11-KV wire, following which six passengers died of electrocution on the spot.
The driver and conductor of the bus fled the spot and went absconding after the incident.
Before the tragedy, the bus had taken a diversion and gone through a different route as locals had staged road blockade on NH-53 near the Bhuban police station over the death of a Home Guard in a truck accident.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the bus mishap and announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the family members of each deceased and free treatment of the injured.
Besides, the Odisha Power Transmission Corporation limited (OPTCl) declared Rs 5-lakh ex-gratia for the next of kin of each deceased.
Energy Minister Pranab Prakash Das said, “The Chief Engineer of the Energy Department has been asked to probe into the matter. He will visit the spot and ascertain the circumstances under which the accident took place. Action will be taken against anyone found guilty.”