Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday expressed grief over the road tragedy in Koraput district on Sunday night claiming lives of at least nine persons.
“My thoughts are with all those who have lost their dear ones in the tragic accident. I hope those injured recover at the earliest,” Modi said. “Deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives in the road accident near Kotpad in Koraput district. My condolences are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Pray for the speedy recovery of all the injured,” said Patnaik in a tweet. The heartrending mishap took place when a pickup carrying the victims overturned near Sindhi Gaon in Kotpad block of Koraput district. At least 15 passengers were also critically injured in the mishap.
The victims, who hailed from Kulta village under the Nagarnar police limits in Chhattisgarh, were returning from Kotpad after attending the 10th day ritual of one of their relatives. There were about 30 occupants in the ill-fated pickup van.