A bus caught fire after coming in contact with an 11-KV electric wire killing at least nine passengers and leaving about 30 others injured near Melapatur under the Golanthara police station in Ganjam district on Sunday.
The tragedy took place when the victims were returning home by the ill-fated vehicle after attending an engagement ceremony at a nearby village. The bus came in contact with the high-voltage electric wire at around 1 pm and caught fire.
Getting information, police and Fire Services personnel reached the spot and doused the flames.
The injured persons were admitted to the MKCG Medical College Hospital here. Three of them were later shifted to the SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack after their conditions deteriorated.
Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera told reporters, “An Inquiry will be made to ascertain the circumstances which led to the mishap. Treatment of the injured victims is our current priority.”