Odisha: 25 killed as bus falls in gorge; CM announces ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for kin of accident victims

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Monday announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia each for the families of those killed in the Deogarh bus accident which claimed 27 lives and left 11 critically injured.

"The chief minister has ordered an ex-gratia of Rs two lakh each for the kin of the deceased while those injured in the bus mishap will be provided with free medical treatment," an officer in the CMO said.

The mishap took place when the bus carrying artists of an opera troupe, including women and children, was returning to Remta in Bargarh district from Deogarh as it plunged about 300 feet down in the hilly Tilaebani Gailo Ghat last evening.

The death toll which initially stood at 25 mounted to 27 following recovery of two more bodies by the rescue team in the early hours, a senior police official said.

Out of the 11 injured persons, six were shifted to VSS Institute of Medical Sciences at Burla while the rest five were being given medical treatment at the district headquarters hospital at Deogarh, Deogarh Superintendent of Police Sarah Sharma said.

Post-mortem of the bodies was conducted at Deogarh hospital and steps taken to ascertain their identity.

The rescue operation, which was conducted throughout the night, was hampered due to the difficult hilly terrain, forest cover and poor visibility.

The operation which ended today morning was conducted by fire brigade and police personnel.

Generators were pressed into service to facilitate rescue operations in the dark, while senior police and administrative officials also rushed to the spot to supervise the operations, the SP said.