Jun 26: The road mishap took place near Digapahandi at around 1 a.m. on Sunday night when a private bus returning from Berhampur collided with an on-coming  state-run Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) bus .

While all the injured have been admitted in local hospital and MKCG Medical College, Berhampur,  two seriously injured persons have been sent to SCB Medical College and Hospital at Cuttack for further treatment, sources said.

The private bus occupants were returning to Khandadeuli near Digapahandi from a party at Berhampur when the tragedy struck just a few km before their destination.  

According to police, the deceased include six men, four women and two minors. Among them, seven were members of one family and their relatives.

Expressing grief over the loss of lives in the accident, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh each to next of kin of the deceased and free medical treatment to those injured.

Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) informed that Rs 30,000 has been provided to each injured person for treatment under supervision of Ganjam district administration.