Six people were killed and five others were seriously injured after a Tata Magic collided with a trailer near Gaikanapali area under Hemgiri police station in Sundergarh district of Odisha on Saturday early morning. Due to heavy fog, the van driver hit a trailer parked on the side of the road, causing the accident. The deceased have not been identified yet. According to information, the villagers were returning home after a Kirtan ceremony on the occasion of Diwali. The villagers had just reached close to their homes when the accident occurred, in which six people died and five others were seriously injured.

Due to poor visibility due to fog, the driver of the van could not see the trailer, which led to this horrific collision. This incident has created a sensation in the area. On receiving the information, the local police reached the spot and with the help of local people, the injured were admitted to the local hospital. Angry local people have blocked the road demanding necessary compensation for the family of the deceased and are demanding justice.

Police statement

A senior police officer said the accident took place near Gaikanapalli area under Hemgiri police station. A van carrying passengers collided with a truck. "Six members of the kirtan group died on the spot, while five others were injured. It is suspected that the accident occurred due to fog in the area," he said. The 'kirtan' party had gone to Chakkapalai village for a programme on the occasion of Diwali and was returning to their village after the programme. The officer said these people were from Kandagoda and Samarpinda villages of Sundargarh district. He said the injured have been admitted to a local hospital. After the accident, local people blocked the road demanding ex-gratia for the victim families.