Koraput: One person died and 16 others were critically injured as the auto-rickshaw in which they were travelling fell into a culvert in Odisha’s Koraput.
The deceased has been identified as Dasi Muduli of Baragachha village under Pindapodar panchayat of Dasmanthpur block. He was reportedly travelling back home after attending a cultural programme organised on the occasion of Dola Purnima along with other residents of his village.
According to sources, the injured were admitted to Dasmanthpur Community Health Centre (CHC) from where five with critical injuries were shifted to Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital, Koraput, after primary treatment.
The driver of the auto-rickshaw has also sustained injuries on his eyes and head.
Though the cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained, sources told media that the vehicle was overloaded.
Police are also investigating whether it was a case of drunken driving or the driver had dosed off leafing to the accident.
