Tragic Highway Accident Claims Five Lives in Odisha

A horrific accident in Odisha’s Ganjam district resulted in five deaths and injured 12 others when a tanker overturned onto a roadside tea stall after colliding head-on with a bus. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced compensation for the victims' families. The deceased are yet to be identified.

A tragic accident in Odisha's Ganjam district has claimed the lives of five individuals and injured 12 others early Thursday morning. A tanker overturned onto a roadside tea stall after a head-on collision with a bus, police have confirmed.

The incident took place on National Highway 59 at Samarjhola near Hinjili. While four individuals died instantly, another succumbed to injuries during treatment at a hospital, authorities stated. The bus was en route from Bhawanipatna to Berhampur, and the tanker was heading towards Aska at the time of the collision. One bus passenger was killed, while the remaining four deceased were tea stall patrons.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his condolences and announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for the seriously injured. The injured were admitted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital. District Collector Divya Jyoti Parida indicated that the deceased are yet to be identified. Police and firefighters have since cleared the highway for traffic.

(With inputs from agencies.)