9 killed, 7 injured in road accident in Odisha

Bhubaneswar, Feb 13 : Nine labourers were killed and seven others injured when a tipper carrying them met with an accident at Luhajhar Ghat in Odisha's Gajapati district on Tuesday, police said.

The truck, loaded with bricks, was on its way to Paralakhemundi from Gumma block along with the labourers when the driver lost control while negotiating a turn and the vehicle overturned and rolled down the ghats. 

Five labourers died on the spot while four succumbed at the District Hospital in Parlakhemundi, police said.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condoled the deaths and announced Rs 2 lakh ex gratia each to the bereaved families and free treatment for the injured.

Police along with locals rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation after the accident.