Parlakhemundi/Bhubaneswar, Feb 13 (PTI) At least nine labourers, including four women, were killed and six others seriously injured after a brick-laden truck carrying them overturned and plunged into a gorge in Odisha’s Gajapati district, police said.
The incident took place when the vehicle was crossing the Luhajhar ghat of Gumma block near here and fell about 80-feet down on a hilly route, they said, adding, five persons died on the spot while four others succumbed to their injuries during treatment in hospitals.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased.
Patnaik also ordered treatment of the injured persons free of cost, a CMO official said.
The loaded truck turned turtle after the driver allegedly lost control while approaching the ghat, Gumma Block Development Officer Subedar Pradhan said.
Those who died at the spot have been identified as Milika Gomang, Sita Gomang, Esponi Gomang, Gasini Gomang and Mena Bhuyan, police said.
While Junesh Bhuyan and Mahistan Bhuyan succumbed to injuries at the district headquarters hospital, Parlakhemundi, Abhijan Bhuyan and Sujan Gomang died at MKCG Medical College and Hospital at berhampur, where they were shifted for treatment, they said.
Four injured were undergoing treatment at Paralakhemundi and two more in Berhampur.
The district administration has given Rs 10,000 to the family of the deceased out of the Red Cross fund and treatment expenses have been taken care of, Additional District Magistrate, Dhrubraj Pandey said.
The Parlakhemundi police have registered a case in connection with the incident and further investigation is on, said SDPO Thakur Patra.
PTI