Rayagada: Five people, most of whom were children, were killed as an under-construction culvert collapsed on them in Odisha’s Rayagada district Monday, police said.
The incident took place in Uparsaja village in Kalyansinghpur block while they were bathing in the rainwater that had accumulated under the culvert.
Among the deceased were four children, police said.
A rescue team, comprising personnel of the Fire Services and police, was working to clear the debris, they said.
Police said they suspect that more people could have been trapped under the debris.
Odisha Law Minister Jagannath Saraka, local MLA Makaranda Muduli and Rayagada SP Vivekanand Sharma visited the spot and took stock of the situation.
Stating it is a very unfortunate incident, the MLA said necessary action against the persons responsible for the mishap needs to be taken.
Expressing deep grief over the loss of lives in the incident, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia for family members of each deceased. Patnaik also ordered strong action against officials responsible for the mishap.
PNN & Agencies