Bhubaneswar/Baripada: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh each to the deceaseds’ next of kin in the tragic road mishap that occurred earlier in the day at Dwarasuni Ghat on NH-49 under Bangiriposi block in Mayurbhanj. The death toll in the incident has reached six.

The Chief Minister directed officials concerned to provide adequate medical treatment to the injured persons. He condoled the deaths and extended his compassion to the bereaved families. The CM also wished for early recovery of the injured persons who are undergoing treatment in a nearby hospital.

Worth mentioning, the accident-prone ghat road in the district witnessed a fatal mishap that killed six persons and grievously injured 12 others of a Jatra troupe after a truck fell into a 20-ft gorge here. The death toll is suspected to increase as more people are feared trapped under the ill-fated vehicle.

The truck belonging to Dhauli Jatra troupe was carrying light and sound systems and was on its way from Rairangpur when the mishap occurred. “Probably, the driver lost control of the vehicle because of a brake failure due to dense fog and light rain. It later skidded and fell into the gorge. Five persons were killed on the spot and one more died in the hospital while undergoing treatment,” a source said.