A major road accident on National Highway 16 (NH-16) near Langaleshwar Chhak in Khallikote has left more than 30 passengers injured.
The incident occurred early Sunday morning when a bus traveling from Bhubaneswar to Aska collided with a truck from behind, causing chaos on the busy highway.
The bus, which was en route to Aska, reportedly slammed into the rear of the truck, leading to significant damage and injuries among the passengers. Eyewitnesses described a scene of panic as emergency responders rushed to the site to assist the victims. The injured were immediately taken to nearby hospitals for treatment, though details on their conditions remain unclear at this time.
Local authorities have confirmed that the bus driver and helper fled the scene following the collision, prompting a police investigation to locate them. The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest that high speed or lack of visibility may have contributed to the crash.
This stretch of NH-16 near Khallikote has been a notorious accident hotspot in recent years.
Local residents and commuters have long demanded better safety measures on NH-16, including stricter traffic monitoring, improved road conditions, and more visible signage. Authorities have yet to comment on specific actions following this latest accident, but pressure is mounting for immediate steps to prevent further tragedies on this stretch of the highway.
This is a developing story, and further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
