Soro: At least six students and an auto-rickshaw driver were injured after the vehicle overturned while they were on their way to attend an Independence Day celebration in Odisha’s Baleshwar district on Saturday.

According to reports, more than eight students from the Sathi area under Bahanaga block were travelling in a battery-operated auto-rickshaw to attend the Independence Day programme at Sri Maa Aurobindo Purnanga Shiksha Kendra.

The accident occurred near Sathi Chhak in the morning when the vehicle reportedly lost balance amid rainfall and overturned.

Several students and the driver sustained injuries in the accident. Local residents rushed to the spot, rescued the injured and admitted them to Soro Hospital for treatment.

The auto-rickshaw driver, identified as Khiroda Kumar Panda, was reportedly in critical condition. He was subsequently shifted to the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital for advanced treatment.

Further details regarding the condition of the injured students are awaited.