Daringbadi: Dozens of relatives were heard wailing the death of their dear ones along the usually quiet stretch of Bangaradua Ghat in one of the deadliest road mishaps in Kandhamal district Tuesday.
“With blood stains and scattered limbs around, people were found sobbing when I regained consciousness,” recalled a survivor.
“I heard a thunderous bang when the truck started rolling down the hill. I could hear people screaming before I was hurled out of the vehicle and lost consciousness,” said another. He woke up only to find himself in Brahmanigaon community health centre (CHC).
“Just a kilometre away, we would have reached our destination. We were going to attend a religious function. But, God had planned the worst for us. Why is it that people on their way to pilgrimage and religious events end up in such gory ways,” another survivor recalled.
It is one of the worst tragic mishaps in Kandhamal district. Ten 10 people died and more than 40 who were injured are undergoing treatment. The toll may go up as many victims are in critical state, reports said.
While six, including women and children, died on the spot, four others died at Berhampur-based MKCG Medical College and Hospital. Among the deceased, five are in the age groups of 12-22 years.
The deceased have been identified as Lizarani Pradhan, Almina Habada, Jensingh Chatia, Pramila Chatia, Lajir Digal, Dipak Nayak, Masia Paltasingh, Salina Digal, Snigdha Badseth, Kaleta Pradhan and Salia Badseth.
On receipt of information, Kandhamal District Collector Brundha D, superintendent of police Prateik Singh, Baliguda sub-collector Sindhe Dattareya Bahusaheb, tehsildar Nitish Tripathy, BDO Trilochan Patra, Phulbani SDO Surendra Kumar Murmu and Daringbadi IIC Alekh Garadia reached the spot and took stock of the situation.
The incident agitated the villagers who staged a sit-in protest demanding Rs 25 lakh compensation for the kin of the deceased and Rs 15 lakh for the injured. The agitators relented after the District Collector assured a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the kin of each deceased.
Locals attributed the mishap to the truck driver’s carelessness as he was drunk. They said liquor was available all over which is causing several mishaps in the area.
Irate residents demanded immediate measures to shut down illegal liquor shops in the area.
PNN