Berhampur: At least six people, including two children, were killed and four others sustained critical injuries after a bus rammed into an auto-rickshaw near Ladkapalli Chhak under Purushottampur police limits in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Friday.

According to reports, around 10 people from Erendra village under K Nuagaon police limits in Chikiti block were travelling in the auto-rickshaw to the Singhasani shrine under Polsara police limits.

The accident took place when the bus coming from behind allegedly hit the auto-rickshaw. The bus dragged the vehicle for some distance.

All passengers travelling in the auto-rickshaw sustained serious injuries in the mishap. With the help of locals, the injured ones were rescued and admitted to the Kodala Community Health Centre.

Doctors later declared six people dead during treatment. Four critically injured passengers are undergoing treatment.

Police have sent the bodies for post-mortem examination. The bus and auto-rickshaw have been seized. A case has been registered, and further investigation into the incident is underway.

The bus driver was detained by the police for questioning.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief over the deaths and announced ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased.