Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi has expressed his sorrow over the tragic road accident involving an Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) bus, which resulted in two fatalities and left over 31 passengers injured. In response, he has announced a compensation package for the families of the deceased.
He stated that each family of the victims will receive an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh. Additionally, he instructed officials to ensure that those injured receive top-quality medical care, with the state government covering all related medical expenses.
The accident took place near the Samal police station in Angul district when the OSRTC bus overturned, leading to two deaths and injuring 31 others. The bus was traveling from Baripada to Angul and lost control on a winding road while carrying approximately 55 to 60 passengers. One of the deceased has been identified as a resident of Jharkhand, while the other person’s identity is still unknown.
An eyewitness reported that all seats on the bus were occupied, with some passengers standing at the front. The bus overturned as it was navigating a turn at high speed.
Thanks to prompt action from locals and police, the injured were quickly rescued and taken to Godibandha Hospital. After initial treatment, nine individuals with serious injuries were moved to Angul District Hospital for further care, while six others with less severe injuries are being treated at Talcher Medical.
The District Collector stated that the remaining injured passengers were discharged after receiving basic medical attention.
An investigation into the cause of the bus accident is currently underway by the Road Transport Office (RTO) and local police. Initial findings suggest that human error may have played a role in the crash. The bus driver has fled the scene, and police are actively searching for him.
