12 Dead as Bus Falls from Mahanadi Bridge in Odisha’s Cuttack
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has expressed deep concern over the incident.
At least 12 people died and 49 injured after a bus fell into the Mahanadi riverbed from a bridge near Jagatpur on the outskirts of the city Tuesday, 20 November, police said.
The accident took place when the bus collided with a buffalo, reported ANI. The buffalo is also reportedly dead, and its body has been recovered.
The private bus, on its way to Cuttack from Talcher, crashed into the railing of the bridge and plunged 30 feet down into the dry riverbed, they said.
According to eyewitnesses, the driver of the bus lost control when a buffalo came in front of it. The driver swerved the bus to save the animal and thus the accident happened, a police officer said.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited the hospital to meet those injured in the accident.
Policemen from Cuttack, along with fire brigade personnel and the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), rushed to the accident site to rescue the trapped passengers.
Chief Fire Officer Sukant Sethy said all the passengers trapped inside the bus have been rescued and they were taken to the SCB Medical College and Hospital for treatment.
Forty-nine people were undergoing treatment at the hospital, Maharana said.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed deep concern over the accident and has directed Sports Minister Chandra Sarathi Behera to rush to the spot and oversee treatment of the injured.
The chief minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to kin of the deceased. He said the injured would be provided free treatment.
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