Eight passengers, including six women, were killed and over 40 others were injured when a bus skidded off a bridge near Palukhola at the Taptapani Ghat of Gajapati district on the wee hours of Wednesday.
The bus ‘Sri Sai’ was on its way to Brahampur from Tikiri in Raygada district when the tragedy occurred at around 3 am when the driver lost control of the vehicle and it plunged 20 feet below the ghat road.
The deceased were identified as Sanghamitra Mohapatra, Anwesha, Vidyut Nayak, L Ramesh, Subasini Moharana, Sunil Nayak, Jhunu Behera, Bidyut Nayak and Jhunu Behera.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for families of the people killed.
Expressing deep grief for the families of the deceased, Patnaik announced the compensation. The Chief Minister also assured that the State Government would bear all medical expenses of all the injured. Besides, Patnaik directed the Gajapatii district Collector and SP to expedite rescue operations.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has also expressed grief over the incident.
It was yet to be ascertained whether the accident occurred due to fog, mechanical fault like brakes failure, over-speeding or fault of the driver.
Four Fire Services teams from Mohana, Sanakhemundi, Digapahandi and Brahampur conducted the rescue operations at the accident site for more than eight hours and 40 people were rescued, who were immediately rushed to hospitals in Digapahandi and Brahmapur.
Sources said more than 14 seriously injured passengers were admitted to the MKCG Medical College Hospital in Brahampur.
The MKCG Medical Superintendent said, “14 injured have been admitted here out of which the condition of four remains critical. We have adequate medicine stocks, all necessary healthcare facilities to cater to the needs of the injured persons.”
Senior police officials, including the Ganjam SP, monitored the rescue operations. A probe would begin to ascertain the exact reason behind the mishap, said Southern Range DIG Satyabrata Bhoi.
Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera said, “Local RTO, MVI officials have informed that the bus might have overturned after losing balance due to low visibility in foggy condition.”