Berhampur: At least nine passengers, including a child, were killed and 22 seriously injured when a private bus came in contact with a live wire at Melapataru near Golanthara in Ganjam district on Sunday.
According to reports, about 45 Telegu people from Takalapadu were going to Tikalada in a private bus to attend a ‘nirbandha’ (ring ceremony) when the bus came in contact with an 11 KV wire.
Alerted by the screams of the passengers, locals rushed to the spot and informed the Southco office to disconnect the power.
The villagers later brought out five bodies and took the injured passengers to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur where three of them later succumbed to burn injuries.
The nine deceased have been 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.
Berhampur SP Pinaki Mishra said he has called the representatives of Southco and other departments for a review meeting on Sunday afternoon. After the meeting, police will register a case and begin an investigation into the incident, the SP added.
As informed by the Ganjam collector Vijay Amruta Kulange, nine critically injured persons have been referred to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed deep grief at the death of the six persons in the Ganjam bus tragedy and conveyed his deep sympathy to the bereaved families.
The CM announced ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of the kin of the deceased. All the injured passengers at MKCG will be given free treatment, he added.
