Balasore, September 15: At least six pilgrims, including three women, were killed and three others injured when a truck ran over them in Mirgimundi area, about 15 km from here, police said today. The mishap occurred when around 50 pilgrims had stopped at a roadside eatery around midnight last night for food.
Of them, ten were having their dinner when the driver of the speeding truck lost control and crashed into the eatery killing three persons on the spot. Three others died on their way to hospital.
Two of the deceased have been identified as Gobardhan Baral and Khetrabasi Behera. Three other injured persons have been admitted to Balasore district headquarter hospital.
The pilgrims were returning to Nayagarh in Orissa after visiting pilgrim spots in north India, police said. The truck has been impounded and its driver arrested, they said.
—PTI–