A devastating bus accident near Takara Pithakhai Ghat in Nayagarh district claimed five lives and left 18 others injured late Friday night.
The private tourist bus, bearing registration OD 32 C 2088 and operated by Anil Travels, was en route from Berhampur to Sambalpur when it lost balance on a sharp curve along National Highway 57, about 10 km from Dasapalla. The vehicle overturned violently, killing five passengers on the spot.
The deceased have been identified as Suprabha Sahu (53), Sumati Sahu (28), Praveen Kumar Sahu (31), of Kulad, Ganjam district, L. Hari Patra (62), and his wife L. Laxmi Patra (55) of Kulad in Ganjam district.
Local residents and emergency teams rushed to the scene and rescued the injured. Ten critically wounded passengers were shifted to Nayagarh District Headquarters Hospital, while others received initial treatment at Daspalla Community Health Centre.
Later, several patients were referred to Bhubaneswar for advanced care. Police sent the bodies of the deceased to Nayagarh for post-mortem and launched a detailed investigation into the cause of the crash.
Authorities are examining whether overloading, mechanical failure, or driver fatigue contributed to the accident.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic bus accident.
CM Majhi conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and assured support during this difficult time. He announced an ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) for the next of kin of each deceased victim.
The Chief Minister emphasised that the government stands with the affected families and will extend necessary assistance. His message highlighted compassion and solidarity with those grieving the sudden loss.
ନୟାଗଡ଼ ଜିଲ୍ଲା ଦଶପଲ୍ଲା ତହସିଲ ଅନ୍ତର୍ଗତ କୁଟିବାରି ଘାଟି ନିକଟରେ ଘଟିଥିବା ଦୁଃଖଦ ଦୁର୍ଘଟଣାରେ ସୁପ୍ରଭା ସାହୁ (ସ୍ବାମୀ – ନାରାୟଣ ସାହୁ), ସୁମତି ସାହୁ (ପିତା -ନାରାୟଣ ସାହୁ), ପ୍ରବୀଣ କୁମାର ସାହୁ, ଏଲ. ହରି ପାତ୍ର, ଏଲ. ଲକ୍ଷ୍ମୀ ପାତ୍ରଙ୍କର ପ୍ରାଣହାନି ସମ୍ପର୍କରେ ଜାଣି ମୁଖ୍ୟମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @MohanMOdisha ଗଭୀର ଶୋକ…
— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) March 28, 2026
Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik also expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In his message, he conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls.
He also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured and emphasised the importance of providing them with proper medical care. Patnaik extended his sympathy to the bereaved families, urging them to remain strong during this difficult time.
ନୟାଗଡ଼ରେ ତୀର୍ଥଯାତ୍ରୀ ବସ ଦୁର୍ଘଟଣା ଘଟି ଏକାଧିକ ଲୋକଙ୍କ ପ୍ରାଣହାନୀ ହେବା ସହ ଅନେକ ଆହତ ହୋଇଥିବା ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣି ମୁଁ ଦୁଃଖିତ। ମୃତକଙ୍କ ଅମର ଆତ୍ମାର ସଦଗତି ସହ ଆହତଙ୍କ ଉତ୍ତମ ଚିକିତ୍ସା ଓ ଆଶୁଆରୋଗ୍ୟ କାମନା କରୁଛି। ଏପରି ଦୁଃଖଦ ସମୟକୁ ସାମ୍ନା କରିବା ପାଇଁ ପରିବାରବର୍ଗଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ମୋର ଗଭୀର ସମବେଦନା ଜଣାଉଛି।
— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) March 28, 2026
