Rayagada district witnessed a frightening accident on Sunday morning when a bauxite-laden tanker lost control and overturned onto three houses near Kanaka Parameswari temple in Munikhola under Muniguda police limits.
The tanker, travelling from Visakhapatnam to Jharsuguda, rammed into the houses after the driver reportedly lost balance. Locals suspect the driver may have dozed off or struggled with vehicle stability in the early hours.
Walls collapsed, asbestos roofing shattered, and household furniture was destroyed. A scooter and a bike parked nearby were crushed. The verandas of houses belonging to Murali Das and S. Rao suffered heavy damage.
Three families narrowly escaped serious harm. Residents described the incident as a close shave with disaster. The tanker driver sustained injuries, and locals rushed him to the community health centre for treatment.
Muniguda police reached the spot soon after being informed. Officers controlled the situation and launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. Authorities are examining whether driver fatigue, mechanical failure, or overspeeding contributed to the crash.
