4 dead, over 30 injured as pilgrim bus overturns on way to temple

At least four people were killed and more than 30 others injured in a bus accident early Sunday morning in Odisha’s Koraput district. The bus, carrying around 50 passengers, was en route from Niali in Cuttack to the Gupteswar temple in Koraput when it overturned at around 5:30 a.m. near Daparighati, a sharp turn in the hilly terrain. The victims included women and children, and several passengers sustained severe injuries, including amputations.

Following the incident, local police, officials, and villagers initiated rescue operations at the accident site. The injured passengers were rushed to the Boipariguda Medical Centre, where they are being treated. Some of the injured remain in critical condition, though no further details on their identities or specific injuries have been shared by authorities.

The bus overturned while navigating a sharp turn near Dakari Ghati, a stretch known for its difficult road conditions. The passengers on the bus, which had around 45-50 pilgrims, were traveling to the Gupteswar temple, a prominent religious site in the region. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation by the police, who are examining the road conditions, the driver’s actions, and possible mechanical failure.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi expressed condolences to the victims’ families and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for each of the four deceased. The state government has instructed authorities to ensure further investigation into the accident and evaluate safety measures along the route, particularly in areas with challenging road conditions like Daparighati.