In a heart-wrenching accident early Saturday morning, a pilgrim bus overturned at Pithakhai Ghat in Nayagarh, claiming five lives and injuring over 40 passengers. The bus, 'Maa Singheshwari', was transporting more than 50 devotees from Berhampur to Harishankar when it veered off the road in the darkness.
Chief Minister Mohan Majhi expressed his deepest condolences and announced an ex-gratia of ₹4 lakh for the families of each deceased from the CMRF. The victims have been identified as Praveen Kumar Sahu (driver), Hari Patra, Laxmi Patra, Suprabha Sahu, and Sumanthi Sahu—all hailing from the Berhampur region.
Currently, 15 passengers remain in critical condition, with several shifted to Bhubaneswar for advanced care. Local authorities are investigating the cause of the crash as the community mourns this devastating loss.