BERHAMPUR: A bus fell off a bridge at Taptapani Ghat in Odisha’s Gajapati district in the early hours on Wednesday killing at least eight passengers, including women, and injuring more than 40 others. The deceased were identified as Sunil Nayak (26), Jhumu Behera (42), Bidyut Naik (42), Ramesh Behera (52), Subasini Maharana (34), Anwesa Mohapatra, Karisma Naik (25) and Sanghamitra Mohapatra.
According to reports, the ill-fated vehicle carrying about 50 persons was heading towards Berhampur from Kashipur in Rayagada when the driver of the bus lost control over the wheels around 3 am.
The bus skidded off the bridge, fell down and turned turtle.
On being informed about the mishap, fire services personnel reached the spot and initiated rescue operation. The victims have been admitted to Digapahandi Hospital and MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur in Ganjam district.
The bus fell off from a height of 30 feet, a fire official said, adding that the number of casualties was likely to increase as some passengers were still trapped inside the damaged bus. The operation was initially affected as the accident took place in a mountainous terrain.
Odisha transport minister Padmanabha Behera has directed for providing immediate treatment to the injured ones. He said the accident might have occurred due to foggy conditions. A probe was ordered into the incident, the minister said, adding that Taptapani Ghat has been tagged as black spot.
Chief minister Naveen Patnaik announced an ex-gratia of '2 lakh for families of the people killed in the fatal road mishap.
Expressing deep grief for the families of the deceased, the CM announced the assured that the state government would bear all expenses for treatment of all the injured persons. Besides, Mr Patnaik directed the Gajapatii district collector and superintendent of police to expedite rescue operation.
While six persons were undergoing treatment at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, two were shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, after their condition deteriorated.
