Ganjam Bus Mishap Toll Rises To 10, Last Rites Of Nine Victims Performed

Cuttack: The death toll in the bus mishap at Melapataru near Golanthara in Ganjam district rose to 10 after one more passenger succumbed to injuries at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack on Sunday evening.

The deceased has been identified as U. Debraj (11).

He was initially admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital with 22 other injured passengers in a critical condition and later shifted to SCB after his condition deteriorated. However, doctors there declared him brought dead.

Five passenger had died on the spot after the bus came in contact with an 11 KV power transmission line and caught fire. Four among the injured later succumbed to burn injuries at the MKCG.

The nine other deceased were identified as Santosini Sahu (12), B Tareniya Reddy, CH Tulasama, CH Kamaraju Reddy, B Mohini, B Ramaiah, B Iramma Reddy, B Achiamma and K Sandhya.

The mishap took place while the bus, carrying 40 passengers, was proceeding to Chikarada from Jangalpadu. They were on their way to attend an engagement ceremony.

The last rites of eight passengers were performed at a crematorium of Dankalpadu village under Golanthara police limits. Funeral of the ninth victim was performed in his village.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had  announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next to the kin of the deceased and free treatment for the injured.