Firemen conduct mock drill at Mahanadi bus mishap site

Cuttack: At least two months after a bus fell off Mahanadi bridge killing 12 passengers, the fire brigade department Sunday conducted a mock drill at the spot to check its readiness to carry out rescue operations in similar incidents.

At least 95 personnel from Buxi Bazaar, Chauliaganj, Barang, Tangi-choudwar and Bidanasi fire stations participate in the mock drill. They used five rescue vehicles, a crane, a few ambulances and some powerboats in the drill. Senior fire brigade official Bhabagrahi Ghadai supervised the drill.

The fire brigade personnel initially reached Mahanadi bridge and descended to the dried up riverbed trough ropes. Soon a crane reached the riverbed to help in the rescue operation. The accident victims were first provided with preliminary treatment at the spot and then they were brought to the embankment through powerboats. The injured were later boarded in a few ambulances.

Notably, altogether 12 passengers were killed and many other were injured when a passenger bus fell off Mahanadi bridge after colliding with a buffalo November 20, last year.