Nayagarh: At least five persons died and ten others critically injured following a devastating road accident on National Highway 57 in Odisha’s Nayagarh district on Friday night. The mishap took place at around 1 am when a tourist bus lost balance and turned turtle leading to severe damage and casualties. The deceased have been identified as Hari Patra, Laxmi Patra, Suprabha Sahu, Sumati Sahu, and driver Praveen Sahu.

As per preliminary reports, the bus was carrying nearly 60 pilgrims from the Berhampur and was on its way to the Harishankar temple when the driver lost control of the bus while negotiating a curve near Takara Ghat - a known accident-prone zone due to sharp turns. Eyewitness accounts and initial police findings revealed that the vehicle rammed into a large roadside rock with great force before overturning.

Five died on spot after vehicle overturned

Five passengers, including three women and the driver, died on the spot. Several passengers were trapped inside the mangled bus, prompting a rescue operation by local residents and police.

Police and emergency teams quickly reached the scene, extricated the victims, and rushed the injured to the Nayagarh District Headquarters Hospital. Medical officials have reported that at least ten individuals are in critical condition, while others sustained minor to moderate injuries.

Officials from Daspalla Police Station have begun a detailed investigation to determine the precise cause of the accident. They are examining multiple possible factors, including whether the bus was overloaded, if driver fatigue played a role, the condition of the road, and any potential mechanical faults in the vehicle.

The tragic incident has cast a pall of gloom over the Berhampur region, as many of the passengers were part of the same community undertaking a pilgrimage. Further updates are awaited as the investigation continues.

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