A passenger bus accident occurred near Nuniajodi Bridge on Phuladi Road, Balasore, where the bus lost control and fell into a roadside canal after colliding with a tractor.
The accident resulted in 25 injuries, with 11 individuals critically injured. The bus, bearing registration number OD-01E-4334, was travelling from Bhogarai to Balasore with over 35 passengers when it was struck by a tractor approaching from Balasore at 9:45 AM.
The impact was severe, causing the right-side door of the bus to break and leading the vehicle to lose balance, plunging about 20 feet into the water below. Some passengers managed to jump to safety onto the road just before the bus fell into the water.
Local residents quickly commenced rescue operations, and emergency services, including firefighters and ODRAF teams, arrived to assist. Authorities, including Sub-Collector Arvind Rajeshirke, Tahasildar Ashwini Nayak, emergency officers, and Sahadevkhunta police, also reached the scene to ensure medical aid for the injured.
A total of 32 passengers were rescued, with 15 being hospitalised—11 of whom are critically injured. Among the injured are two children and five women in serious condition. The bus driver suffered a fractured leg along with other serious injuries.
At the hospital, MLA Manas Kumar Dutta, District Council Chairperson Narayan Pradhan, and former MLA Swarup Das visited the injured passengers and coordinated medical support with the doctors.
