Rourkela: In a tragic road accident in the early hours of Monday, two youth lost their lives and another sustained critical injuries after an SUV rammed into a roadside dhaba along the Kuanrmunda road in Odisha's Sundargarh district.

Trio was returning to Rourkela from Ranchi

The incident occurred around 3 am near Pragati Petrol Pump at Jamunadhipa when the SUV, returning from Ranchi to Rourkela, reportedly lost control and crashed into the Dhaba.

The deceased have been identified as Kunal Nayak (23) and Mohit Mahato (22), both residents of Chhend Colony. Another youth, Sameer Nayak, was critically injured in the mishap and has been admitted to JP Hospital, Vedvyas, where he is undergoing treatment in the ICU.

Police from Kuanrmunda outpost reached the spot, seized the bodies, and sent them to Rourkela Government Hospital for post-mortem examination. The SUV (Hyundai Creta OD 14 AB 9836) has also been impounded.

According to preliminary reports, the dhaba was closed at the time of the accident, preventing further casualties as staff members narrowly escaped harm. Police have launched an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the crash.