Koraput: Four died and over 30 others were injured when bus, ferrying pilgrims to Gupteswar temple from Cuttack’s Niali, overturned at Dokrighat under Boipariguda police station limits in Odisha’s Koraput district in the early hours of Sunday.
A 12-year-old boy is among the deceased.
According to sources, the accident took place around 5.30 am. BSF and police personnel rescued the injured passengers, including women and children, and rushed them to Boipariguda Community Health Centre. Those critical with many losing their arms and legs were later shifted to the district headquarters hospital as their condition deteriorated.
Sources said that pilgrims had hired a bus and travelled to Manikeshwari Temple in Kalahandi the previous day. It is suspected that the driver of the vehicle lost control while navigating sharp turns on the hilly road.
Expressing grief over the loss of lives, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh each for the bereaved families. He has also directed for immediate treatment of the seriously injured at the district headquarters hospital.
