Bhubaneswar: At least six passengers, including a child, were killed and 25 seriously injured when a private bus came in contact with a overhead 11KV live wire at Melapataru under Golanthara police station in Ganjam district on Sunday.
According to reports, about 45 people of Telugu community from Takalapadu were on their way to Tikalada in a private bus namely Silk City, to attend a ‘Nirbandha’ (ring ceremony) when the bus came in contact with an 11KV wire.
The injured are now undergoing treatment at the MKCG Medical College and Hospital. Berhampur.
Meanwhile, expressing deep grief at the death of the people, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased.
The Chief Minister also announced free treatment for the injured.
“Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Sunday expressed deep grief at the death of six persons in Mendrajpur in Ganjam bus tragedy. Chief Minister conveys his deep sympathy to the bereaved families and announces ex-gratia of 2 lakh rupees to the next of the kin of the deceased. All 25 injured people have been admitted at MKCG and will be given free medical treatment, the Chief Minister announces,” said a CMO statement.
The incident came close on heels of January 29 mishap near Taptapani in Ganjam district in which nine passengers of a bus were killed after the vehicle fell from a bridge.
