BUS COMES IN CONTACT WITH 11KV LINE IN GANJAM; 9 KILLED, & 40 CRITICAL
Manoj Kanta Dash,Odishabarta
Berhampur: At least nine persons were electrocuted to death and over 40 others injured, when a private bus in which they were travelling to attend a social function, came in contact with an 11KV live transmission wire near Golanthara in Ganjam under Berhampur Police district on Sunday.
Report says,members of a few families and their relatives were travelling in the private bus named as ‘SILK CITY’ from Jangalpadu to Chikarada village to attend an engagement ceremony when the bus came in contact with an overhead electric wire at Melapataru under Golanthara police limits of Ganjam district.
All the injured have been shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur. Five ambulances and fire fighting official staff are at the spot to carry out rescue operations.
Mr Pinak Mishra, Berhampur SP confirmed that the mishap took place after the bus came in contact with live electric wire. “So far five bodies have been recovered and five of them already identified and all the injured have been rescued,” Adequate police force has been deployed keeping in view of any kind of law and order.
The identities of five deceased have been ascertained so far. They have been identified as Jhilli Sahoo, B Tareneya, M Kanak, CH Tulsama and B Ramya.
“A report has been sought from SOUTHCO to know at what height the 11KV wire was hanging. An investigation will be launched after receiving the report and action will be taken accordingly,” said Chairman and Managing director of OPTCL, Sourav Garg.
“The officials of Southern Electricity Supply Company Of Odisha Limited (SOUTHCO) will examine the circumstance leading to the mishap. A case will be registered and action will be taken on the basis of the report,” the SP added.
Collector, Ganjam, Mr Vijay Amruta Kulange monitoring the rescue operation.
He directed to the South Co authority to enquire and submit the report within no time limit. He also visited MKCG hospital and taking all medical care of injured person.
Reports say passengers get electrocuted when panicked over the mishap they tried to step out of the bus so as to save their lives. In fact, it’s this act of desperation that pushed them into the electrocution trap.
Expressing grief over the mishap, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for the family each deceased and free treatment for those injured.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also expressed grief over death of the passengers in the mishap and speed recovery of injured persons. He said the circumstances leading to the mishap should be thoroughly probed and utmost cautions should be taken to ensure that such mishap does not reoccur in future.
