At least 10 persons were killed and four others critically injured when a van carrying devotees collided head-on with a truck on National Highway 55 in Sambalpur district in Odisha today, police said.
The accident took place when the victims were returning after paying obeisance at a temple at Kalpeshwar and the truck hit their van at Bhawanipali in the Jujumura area, said Inspector In-Charge of Jujumura police station, Biswapati Panda.
While four persons were killed on the spot, six others succumbed to their injuries during treatment in hospital, police said adding, the deceased included women and children.
More From This Section
Patnaik also announced free treatment for the injured, he said.
Members of two families from Parmanpur village under Sason police station jurisdiction had gone to offer pujas at Kalpeshwar Shiv temple and the accident took place on NH-55 when they were returning, police said.
The injured were first taken to the district headquarters hospital here and then shifted to Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) at Burla, police said.
The driver of the truck fled after the accident and a manhunt has been launched to nab him, police added.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content