Baripada: At least six people died and nine others injured after a truck carrying technical persons of a jatra party overturned at Bangiriposhi ghat in Mayurbhan district today.
The incident took place amid rains on NH-49 this morning amid rainfall. The truck, loaded with heavy light and sound equipment, was moving from Rairangpur area in Mayurbhanj district towards Jaleswar area in Balasore district.
After the driver lost control over the truck, it overturned and all the equipment along with the technical persons on board fell into the gorge, police said.
It was suspected that the technical personnel died and were injured after the heavy light and sound boxes fell on them, a police official said.
However, no jatra artist was there in the truck. After the accident, the driver escaped from the spot, the cop said.
After getting information, local police and fire service officials rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. The injured persons were admitted to PRM Medical College and Hospital, Baipada.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the death of six people and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh to the family members of each deceased.
Besides, the Chief Minister directed concerned officials to ensure proper medical care for the injured people and wished for their speedy recovery.
