12 Killed, Several Injured As Two Buses Collide Head-On In Odisha's Ganjam

The Odisha government has announced Rs 30,000 for each injured person for treatment

Ganjam: At least 10 people were killed and eight others injured in a head-on collision between two buses in Odisha's Ganjam district on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday. The injured were immediately rushed to the MKCG Medical College in Berhampur for treatment. The tragic road mishap involving an Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) bus and a private bus took place under the Digapahandi police limit in the Ganjam district. 

According to the news agency ANI, the District Magistrate of Ganjam Dibya Jyoti Parida initially told reporters that all those injured in the accident have been rushed to the MKCG Medical College for treatment. "Two buses collided in which 10 people died. The injured were immediately admitted to MKCG Medical College for treatment. Investigation into the case is underway. We are trying to provide all possible help to the injured," Dibya Jyoti Parida said while talking to the reporters. "A critically injured person has been shifted to SCB hospital in Cuttack. All arrangements have been made here for the treatment of patients," the Ganjam Collector said.

Sharing more information, Berhampur SP Saravana Vivek said, "Prima facie, it seems to be a case of a head-on collision between two buses at around 1 am. Several passengers of the private bus have been killed and injured in the accident while those in the OSRTC bus have sustained minor injuries."

While the OSRTC bus was on its way to Bhubaneswar from Rayagada, the private bus was returning from Berhampur, carrying a marriage party from Khandadeuli village in the district, the SP informed.

Odisha CM Expresses Grief; Announces Rs 3 Lakh Ex-Gratia

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the death of the people in the bus accident in Ganjam and announced an ex gratia of Rs three lakh to the next kin of the deceased. According to a statement from the chief minister's office, Patnaik has ordered to provide free medical treatment to the injured and wished them a speedy recovery.
Chief Minister has also directed Finance Minister, Vikram Arukh and Ganjam DPCC Chairman and MLA Vikram Panda to immediately go to the spot and provide assistance to the victims.

Till the last report came in, two more persons succumbed to injuries taking the death toll to 12, including six men, four women and two minors.