Balasore, Jan 18: Two young men lost their lives in a tragic road accident in Odisha’s Balasore district on Sunday after their motorcycle was hit by a speeding vehicle on State Highway 57, police said.

The incident occurred at Nampo Chak when the vehicle collided head on with the two wheeler, police said. The deceased were identified as Gautam Sahu, 18, and his friend Chandrasekhar Mahapatra, 22. Both sustained severe injuries and were declared dead at the scene.

According to a senior officer, preliminary investigation suggests reckless driving as the cause of the accident. The vehicle involved fled to the spot immediately after the collision. Police have launched a search to trace the driver and the vehicle.

Local residents expressed concern over rising accidents on the highway, citing overspeeding and lack of enforcement as recurring issues. They demanded stricter monitoring and installation of speed control measures to prevent further tragedies.

The bodies of the deceased were sent for post mortem, and further investigation is underway, police said.