Sundargarh: In a tragic incident, at least seven people were killed and four others critically injured after a van carrying them dashed against a static trailer in Gaikanapali area of Odisha’s Sundargarh district on Saturday.
As per preliminary information, the mishap took place in the wee hours at Gaikanapali near Bileimunda under the jurisdiction of Hemgir police station.
Sources said a ten-member kirtan group from Kandadhuda, Samarpinda had gone to Chakabahal in Chhattisgarh for a Shradh ritual in a van. They were returning after the event when the van hit the trailer parked along the road from the rear.
Six persons, including the driver of the van died on the spot. Five others with critical injuries and were rushed to Hemgir hospital where one of them succumbed during treatment.
The identities of the deceased are yet to be ascertained. Though the exact reason behind the accident is not established yet, it is suspected that the van driver could not see the trailer due to low visibility caused by fog in the area.