At least nine persons, including two women, were killed when a coal-laden truck coming from Talcher to Banrapal rammed into a passenger van at Chainpal Square here on Monday.
The truck driver fled from the spot after hitting the Tata Ace van killing seven passengers on the spot. Two other passengers succumbed to injuries later. The deceased persons were yet to be identified.
Irate locals blocked the road demanding compensation of Rs 20 lakh to each victim’s family and restriction on plying of heavy vehicles on the road in daytime. The incident occurred due to the narrow road. Hence, the road should be widened, said a local.
Meanwhile, police reached the spot and seized the vehicles. “We are trying to identify the deceased. Efforts are on to pacify the irate mob and clear the road,” said Banrapal police station IIC Subhrakant Mallik.