Balasore: A bus carrying pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh met with an accident on National Highway-16 under Soro police limits in Odisha's Balasore district early Sunday morning, leaving the driver dead and more than 20 passengers injured.

The accident occurred as the bus reportedly lost control and crashed into a road divider. The deceased driver has been identified as K. Venkateswar (54).

According to reports, the ill-fated bus was carrying around 45 pilgrims from the Vizianagaram region of Andhra Pradesh to various religious destinations in West Bengal. The pilgrims were returning to Andhra Pradesh from Kolkata when the mishap took place.

Upon receiving information from locals, police and fire services personnel rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. The injured passengers were rescued and admitted to the Soro Community Health Centre for treatment.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the driver may have dozed off while driving, as the accident occurred during the early morning hours. However, the exact cause of the crash is yet to be established.

Police have registered a case and started an investigation into the incident.