Baripada: At least six people died and nine others were injured Wednesday after a truck carrying them overturned amid heavy rain in Mayurbhanj district, police said.
The accident took place at Dharsuni ghat area on National Highway-49 in the morning, they said.
The driver managed to escape from the spot, a police officer said.
The injured were admitted to PRM Medical College and Hospital, Baripada, he added.
“The vehicle carrying workers of Jatra troupe, Dhauli Gananatya, from Rairangpur towards Jaleswar area in Balasore. So far we came to know that around 16 persons were in the truck. The vehicle met with an accident at the Ghati at around 10.45 am. So far, six persons have died while two others are in critical condition. We have started investigations to know the actual reasons behind the tragic mishap,” Sub-divisional Police Officer, Baripada Sadar Sujit Kumar Pradhan said.
Meanwhile, the local sources said that the troupe was en route to the Solapata area of Jaleswar in Balasore district.
The workers riding in the back of the lorry and the heavy sound and light boxes fell down into the 20 ft deep gorge. Upon being informed, Police and fire services personnel reached the spot and rescued the injured persons and recovered the bodies, the source added.
Expressing grief over the tragic mishap, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced an ex-gratia of Rs3 lakhs each to the deceased persons’ next of kin.
He also instructed authorities to provide adequate treatment of the injured persons.
PNN & Agencies
