12 Killed, 8 Critically Injured as Two Buses Collide Head-On In Ganjam
Manoj Kanta Dash,Odishabarta
Berhampur: At least 12 passengers were killed and eight others injured in a head-on collision involving a OSRTC bus and a private bus at Moulabhanja, under Digapahandi Police limit in Ganjam on Monday.
Sources said, injured persons are now undergoing treatment at the MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur.
While the OSRTC bus was en-route Bhubaneswar-Via-Balugaon from Rayagada, the private bus was returning from Berhampur, carrying a marriage party from Khandadeuli village in Ganjam district.
According to information, a mini bus carrying 27 people was returning after leaving a bride at her in-law’s house at Berhampur when an OSRTC bus hit it on the front. As a result, the bus overturned on the roadside.
The bus was carrying relatives and villagers of the bride to her parental village Khandadeuli in Digapahandi area.
Fire and police personnel along with locals rescued all the injured victims and rushed them to the hospital. Almost 12 people, including two children, reportedly died on the spot.
Later one of the injured was shifted to the Cuttack SCB Hospital in view of his serious condition. However, he could not be saved. He succumbed to the injuries this morning.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has condoled the loss of many precious lives in the tragic bus accident in Digapahandi in Ganjam district. Chief Minister, Odisha announced Rs 3 Lakh ex-gratia for compensation people killed in bus accident.
The special relief commission (SRC),Odisha sanctioned Rs 30, 000 to each of the injured persons for their treatment.
The Chief Minister has ordered to provide free medical treatment to the injured and wished them a speedy recovery. Chief Minister Patnaik’s directed Finance Minister Vikram Arukh and Ganjam DPCC Chairman MLA,Bikram Panda, MP Berhampur Chandra Sekhar Sahu,BeMC Mayor Sanghamitra Dalei, Cashew Corporation Chairman Subash Moharana,Collector Ganjam Divyajyoti Parida,SP,Berhampur,Dr Sarvana Vivek.M and Sub-Collectir Berhampur,Asutosh Kulkarni to immediately go to the spot and provide assistance to the victims.
Till last report came in, two more persons succumbed to injuries the death toll to 12- six men, four women and two minors.
Expressing deep condolence over the death of 12 people in a fatal road accident in Ganjam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF to the next of kin of each deceased. He also announced Rs 50,000 compensation for the injured.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also expressed anguish over the mishap.“Anguished by the tragic road accident in Digapahandi (Ganjam,Odisha) that claimed precious lives. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with their family members. May the Almighty give them the strength to bear this. I also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Shah tweeted.
Twelve members of a marriage party were killed and seven others injured as their bus collided head-on with another bus in Ganjam district.
Berhampur Superintendent of Police Dr.Saravana Vivek M said, The accident occurred late Sunday night near Digapahandi area on Berhampur-Taptapani road, around 35 km from here, when the bus with the wedding party members on board collided with another passenger vehicle They on the way after attending a wedding ceremony at Berhampur, they were returning to Khandadeuli near Digapahandi when the accident took place.
Soon getting the information of mishap a team of police Officers deputed to the spot and rescued the injured persons and shifted them to hospitals, Investigation into the case is underway” We are trying to provide all possible help to the injured,” Dr.Vivek added.
Talking to Press Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida said that the injured were rushed to the MKCG Medical College and more details are awaited.
