Truck Rams Bhubaneswar-Bound Bus In Odisha’s Balasore: 8 Dead, Scores Injured; CM Announces Ex-Gratia

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Balasore: At least eight persons were killed and more than 10 were injured after a private bus bound for Bhubaneswar met with an accident near Bidu Chhak at Soro in Balasore district on Saturday afternoon.

The identities of the deceased are yet to be ascertained. A one-year-old baby is among those killed, reports said. Many of the injured are said to be critical.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his grief and offered condolences to the families of the victims. He announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of the deceased.

He also directed officials to ensure that the injured get the best medical treatment and wished them speedy recovery.

The bus, ‘Shantilata’, was on its way to Bhubaneswar from Udala. At 1.10 pm, it had stopped near Bidu Chhak on NH-16 to board passengers when a coal truck rammed it from behind. The impact was so severe, both the bus and the truck fell off the road and overturned.

Police rushed the injured to Soro hospital and Balasore district headquarters hospital. Four cranes have been pressed into rescue operations.