Bhubaneswar, April 6: A tragic accident occurred early Sunday morning when a bus carrying Bangladeshi pilgrims overturned near CIFA on the Bhubaneswar-Puri National Highway, leaving one dead and 16 injured.

The deceased, identified as Nonibala Nath from Chattogram, Bangladesh, succumbed to her injuries while being transported to Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar. Sixteen other injured passengers are currently receiving treatment, with several reported to be in serious condition.

The bus was part of a convoy of two vehicles carrying around 140 pilgrims from Bangladesh. The group had already visited Ayodhya and Dwarka and was en route to Puri to visit the Jagannath Temple, with plans to proceed to Vishwanath Temple.

According to police, the accident occurred in the early hours in the Pipili police station area, when the driver of the second bus reportedly fell asleep at the wheel. The vehicle veered off the highway near Siphon and plunged into a roadside ditch, trapping many passengers inside.

Quick action from fellow pilgrims in the first bus, local residents, and emergency responders helped initiate rescue efforts. Ambulances and fire brigade units rushed to the scene to assist in the operation.

Local residents continue to support rescue and relief work. "As many as 16 pilgrims from Bangladesh sustained injuries. Unfortunately, one woman passenger died on the way to the hospital," confirmed Souymendu Sekhar Tripathy, Inspector In-Charge of Pipili police station.

Powered by Froala Editor