At least 12 people were killed and 49 injured after a bus fell into the Mahanadi riverbed from a bridge near Jagatpur on the outskirts of the city on Tuesday evening.
The private bus, on its way to Cuttack from Talcher, crashed into the railing of the bridge and plunged 30 foot below into the dry riverbed, the police said.
Buffalo came in front
Witnesses said the driver of the bus lost control when a buffalo came in front of it. The driver swerved the bus to the right to save the animal but the vehicle skidded and fell off the bridge. The bus nevertheless hit the buffalo and its carcass was found lying on the bridge railing.
Policemen from the city, along with fire brigade personnel and Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), rushed to the accident site to rescue the trapped passengers.
Chief Fire Officer Sukant Sethy said all passengers trapped inside the bus had been rescued and they were taken to the SCB Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
CM expresses concern
Emergency officer of the hospital, B.N. Maharana, said they had received 12 bodies. Among the deceased, nine were men and three women. Forty-nine people were undergoing treatment at the hospital, Mr. Maharana said.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed deep concern over the accident and directed the State Health Minister Pratap Jena to rush to the spot and ensure that the injured received proper treatment.
The Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each to kin of the deceased. He said the injured would be provided free treatment.
(With PTI inputs)
