12, Including 7 Of Family Killed, 15 Injured As 2 Buses Collide In Odisha’s Ganjam

Berhampur: In a tragic road accident, at least 12 passengers were killed and more than 15  injured when a private bus carrying a marriage party collided head on with an OSRTC bus near Moulabhanja Square at Digapahandi in Odisha’s Ganjam district.

The accident took place in the wee hours of Monday when the mini bus carrying marriage party from Berhampur was on the way to Dengaosta and the OSRTC bus was proceeding to Bhubaneswar from Gudari in Rayagada. All the deceased belong to the mini private bus, sources said.

All the injured have been admitted into MKCG Medical College and Hospital here and some serious patients have been shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital Cuttack.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the tragic death of the passengers and sanctioned Rs 3 lakh each from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for the families of the deceased passengers. He also ordered free treatment to all the injured passengers and wished them speedy recovery.

The Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) has also announced Rs 30,000 each for the injured persons.

Ganjam Collector Dibyajyoti Parida, Berhampur SP Dr Saravana Vibek M, SDPO, IIC Digapahandi and the Fire Brigade personnel immediately reached the spot and rescued the passengers.

Police personnel rushed to the site immediately and rescued the injured passengers who were shifted to hospital, the SP said.

The dead include Sitaram Pradhan (60), Sanjay Medini Ray (50), Tripati Pradhan, Ayush and Sangita Dakua (25), Sugyani (27), Sibani Pradhan (27), Litu Nayak (40), Debanshu Pradhan (2), Alok Pradhan (14) and Suvendu Pradhan (32) and all belong to Khandadoli village under Patapur police station, sources said.

The driver of the mini bus also sustained injury, police said.