Four Killed, Over 20 Injured in Bus–Truck Collision in Sundargarh

Bhubaneswar: The death toll in a tragic bus–truck collision near Musabira village under Chandiposh police limits in Odisha’s Sundargarh district has risen to four, while more than 20 others sustained injuries in the accident that occurred on Tuesday night.

According to reports, a private bus travelling from Rourkela to Jajpur collided head-on with an oncoming truck near Musabira. The impact was severe, resulting in the immediate death of four individuals, including both bus drivers, the bus helper, and the truck driver.

The deceased have been identified as Manas Ranjan Panda (35), the bus driver and a resident of Mandarkhand village under Nandipur panchayat in Dasarathpur block of Jajpur district; Niranjan Rout (53), the second driver from Purunasahi village under Malikapur panchayat in the same block, who was present in the cabin at the time of the accident; and Shiva Prasad Nayak (52), the bus helper from Bajrapat village under Mangalpur panchayat. The identity of the truck driver is yet to be confirmed.

Following the incident, Chandiposh police along with fire service personnel rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. Due to the extensive damage to the bus, a gas cutter was used to rescue passengers trapped inside the mangled vehicle.

The injured were immediately shifted to Rourkela Government Hospital in around ten ambulances for treatment.

Police have initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident.