BHUBANESWAR: Five persons were killed and over 15 injured when a bus collided head-on with a tractor in Dalki village near Kherna forests of Mayurbhanj on Tuesday.
The incident occurred at around 11:30 am when the bus traveling from Jashipur to Badampahad ran into the tractor on State Highway 49.
Preliminary reports showed that five persons died on the spot. The injured have been shifted to Badampahad and Rairangpur hospitals. More casualties cannot be ruled out, a police officer said.
After the mishap, locals resorted to a protest and blocked the Jashipur-Rairangpur highway demanding compensation for the victims.
Mayurbhanj SP R Prakash and senior officials of the district rushed to the spot to assess the situation. They held discussions with the agitating locals who did not allow the police to shift the bodies.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced free treatment for the injured. The CM has also directed the district officials to expedite the rescue operation.