Cuttack: At least twelve people, including nine men and three women were dead and several have been critically injured after a bus fell off Mahanadi bridge in Odisha’s Cuttack this afternoon, police said.

State Police DG RP Sharma, who is closely monitoring the situation, took to Twitter to confirm the number deaths in the fatal accident.

I am extremely saddened to know about seven deaths...RIP...most of the other injured have been shifted to the hospital and are receiving treatment....wish them a speedy recovery....

— Dr. Rajendra Sharma. (@DrRajendraShar2) November 20, 2018

“All injured have been shifted to hospital. Arrangements have been done for their treatment. Every possible help from the police will be extended... for any help please call +916712304001,” the DGP added.

According to reports, 'Jagannath', the ill-fated bus, carrying over 45 passengers, was on the way to Cuttack from Angul district this evening when accident took place. The bus had left Talcher at around 2.45 pm today.

The bus later fell into the water along with the driver who suffered injuries.

The bus driver lost control over the vehicle when trying to avoid hitting a bullock on the bridge and fell into the river after breaking the railing of the bridge, a witness told.

The bus bearing registration number OD 35 A 0211 was registered in the name of Srikant Kumar Pani with the RTO in 2015.

Being informed about the mishap, fire personnel were rushed to the spot and engaged in rescue operations and shifting the injured passengers.

Meanwhile, expressing shock and grief over the incident, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has directed Health Minister Pratap Jena to visit the accident site and monitor the situation.

The CM has also instructed the district administration and SCB Medical College and Hospital to provide quick and free treatment to all the injured passengers.

Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty, Fire Services DG B K Sharma, Cuttack DCP Akhileshwar Singh, Cuttack Collector Arvind Agarwal, among other officials were present at the accident site.

Till reports last came in, 35 injured passengers had been rescued. All the injured passengers were admitted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

DEATH TOLL MAY RISE

The death toll may go up as some of those injured are in a critical condition. According to local eyewitnesses, several people are still lying unconscious.