Balasore: Tourist Bus Veers Off NH 60; 4 Dead, 17 Critical

Balasore, Sept 28: In a tragic accident, four pilgrims died and more than 23 got injured after a tourist bus spun off a road and fell into a deep gorge near Ekatali bypass in Balasore district, late Friday night.

The accident took place on National Highway 60 (NH 60) in Jaleswar police station limits, when the bus veered off the highway and reportedly fell 20 feet down into a deep gorge.

Four pilgrims died in the tragic accident, while 23 suffered injuries including 17 in critical conditions. The critical pilgrims have been shifted to Balasore District Headquarter Hospital.

According to reports, the bus, coming from Uttar Pradesh, was on its way to Puri. The bus, carrying 57 pilgrims from Siddharth Nagar and Balarampur district, had embarked on a tour from UP, September 18.

After visiting several places, the Puri-bound bus was coming from Kolkata when the tragedy struck, reportedly at around 12.30 am (Saturday).

After getting the information, the NH patrolling vans, Jaleswar police and Fire Brigade arrived at the scene and began rescue opration.

The 23 injured pilgrims were intially taken to GK Bhattar Hospital, Jaleswar. However, 17 of them were later shifted to Balasore District Headquarter Hospital after their condition worsened.

The police is reportedly questioning the agent and the conductor in connection with the incident.

More details are awaited as investigation is underway.