Keonjhar, Odisha – A pilgrimage to Ma Tarini temple took a tragic turn for a family when a van carrying devotees collided with a stationary truck in Odisha’s Keonjhar district. The incident resulted in the death of eight family members, and 12 others sustained injuries.
According to police sources, the family from Podamari village in Ganjam district was en route to Ghatagaon to offer prayers at Maa Tarini temple. They had hired a van for the journey, with a total of 20 individuals on board. The collision with a stationary truck proved fatal, scattering bodies on the highway.
Seven individuals lost their lives on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries in the hospital. The seriously injured passengers were immediately taken to the district headquarters hospital of Keonjhar. The victims included Mita Pradhan, her son Akash, daughter-in-law Ili Pradhan, Bayaghana Gouda, Babula Gouda, Padmini Gouda, Madan Gouda, and Rudra Gouda. Notably, three of them were relatives of former Rajya Sabha member Renubala Pradhan.
Keonjhar SP Nitin Kushalkar rushed to the accident site, overseeing the rescue operation. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination. Following the incident, vehicular movement on the national highway was disrupted for several hours.
Expressing deep grief over the tragic accident, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced an ex gratia of Rs 3 lakh each for the kin of the deceased. He also directed authorities to provide free treatment to the injured persons and wished them a speedy recovery.
