16 killed in Odisha bus accident

Bhubaneswar: At least 16 persons were killed and 25 injured when a bus fell off a bridge in Odisha`s Angul district on Friday.

The tragedy took place near Puruna Manitri in Angul district when the bus driver lost control over the wheels. The bus fell off the bridge from a height of 50 feet.

Angul Collector Anil Samal said the accident took place when the vehicle, carrying around 50 passengers, was on the way to Athmallik from Boudh.

Director General of Police K.B. Singh said the injured have been admitted in different hospitals.

"The driver has fled... All the passengers have been taken out of the vehicle," said an official, Gopal Patnaik.

Police and fire brigade launched rescue operation. The death toll is likely to go up, said one official.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced free treatment to the injured.

"This is a tragic incident. The reason behind it will be probed," said Transport Minister Ramesh Majhi.