At least five people were killed and about 15 others seriously injured after a tourist bus overturned on National Highway 57 in Odisha’s Nayagarh district late on Friday night, police said.
The accident occurred around 1 am near Thakira Ghat under Daspalla police limits, a stretch known for its sharp curves.
The police identified the deceased as Hari Batra, Lakshmi Batra, Subrabha Sahu, Sumati Sahu and driver Praveen Sahu.
According to initial reports, the bus, carrying nearly 60 pilgrims from Berhampur, was heading to tourist sites in western Odisha when it lost control near Takera Ghat while negotiating a turn.
Police said the car hit a rock on the side of the road before turning turtle, completely disfiguring the front part. Local residents, in cooperation with police and fire service personnel, began a rescue operation shortly after the accident.
The injured were first taken to nearby health facilities and were later shifted to Nayagarh District Headquarters Hospital. Medical officials said that at least 15 of the injured were in critical condition, while others suffered minor to moderate injuries.
Eyewitnesses said that the bus was traveling at high speed and was unable to slow down at the turn. One of them said: “Many passengers were thrown out of the car upon impact, while others remained trapped inside the wreckage.”
Police said they are looking into factors such as possible excessive speed, driver fatigue, road conditions, and any mechanical problems with the bus.
