Balasore: At least four persons were killed and over 30 sustained injuries after a tourist bus overturned on NH 16 in the Jaleswar area of Odisha’s Balasore district in the wee hours of Saturday.
The deceased have been identified as Kamala Devi Yadav (70), Ram Prasad Yadav (55), Rajesh Kumar Mishra (58) and Shankar Yadav (50). The injured persons are undergoing treatment in Jaleswar and Balasore Hospitals.
As per reports, the tourist bus from Uttar Pradesh carrying about 60 persons was on its way to Puri. At about 2:00 AM, near Chalanti Chhak, the driver lost control over the wheels of the vehicle and it turned turtle. Locals rescued the people and rushed them to the hospital. Three of them died on the spot while one more person died on the way to hospital.
Thirteen of the injured persons were transferred from Jaleswar to Balasore Hospital as their conditions deteriorated, with two reported to be in critical condition. Additional District Collector Sudhakar Nayak visited Balasore Hospital to inquire about their status and extended wishes for their rapid recovery. Additional District Magistrate (Revenue) Niranjan Behera and Jaleswar Tehsildar assessed the situation on-site, ensuring the injured received treatment. Despite the nurses’ strike commencing today, which caused a slight delay in medical services, 150 nurses have been temporarily assigned to prioritize patient care and maintain ongoing services.
Help desks have been opened at Balasore and Jaleswar Hospitals to assist those injured. Efforts are underway to contact the Uttar Pradesh administration to notify the families of the deceased. The local administration is providing support to both the injured and uninjured passengers, ensuring all necessary arrangements are in place.
