Bhubaneswar: At least 21 persons were killed and 30 injured when a bus fell off a bridge in Odisha’s Angul district on Friday, September 9.

While 14 were killed on the spot, 7 others died in the nearby hospital. Among the injured, at least 15 are stated to be serious.

The tragedy took place near Puruna Manitri in Angul district when the bus driver lost control over the wheels. The bus fell off the bridge from a height of 50 feet.

Angul Collector Anil Samal said the accident took place when the vehicle, carrying around 50 passengers, was on the way to Athmallik from Boudh. Director General of Police K.B. Singh said the injured have been admitted in different hospitals. An eyewitness said that the driver was talking over phone when a kid riding a bicycle suddenly came from the opposite side. “The driver suddenly took a left turn and broke off the bridge railings,” he said.

Many victims were women including four college students died in the accident. Before police and other government official reached the spot, local people had brought out injured passengers from the bus. Most accident victims were from both Boudh and Angul districts.

“The driver has fled. All the passengers have been taken out of the vehicle,” said an official, Gopal Patnaik.

Police and fire brigade launched rescue operation. The death toll is likely to go up, said one official.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced free treatment to the injured. He also announced ex-gratia assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the next of the kin of the deceased.

“This is a tragic incident. The reason behind it will be probed,” said Transport Minister Ramesh Majhi.