Basta: Atleast 30 persons were injured, nine others critically, following collision between a passenger bus and a truck in Basta block of Odisha's Balasore district today.

The mishap was reported on NH 60 near Junabalada village in Basta at around 1 am. All injured victims were rushed to the district headquarters hospital for treatment. 

As per reports, a passenger bus named 'Das & Das' with over 60 people onboard was heading from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata when itrammed into a stationary coal-laden truck from behind. The impact of the collision was so severe that the front end of the bus was completely destroyed. While around 30 passengers were hurt, nine of them sustained critical injuries. Though the exact reason behind the mishap is not ascertained yet, it is suspected that the driver might have fallen asleep at the wheel leading to the passenger bus crashing into the truck from behind. 

Basta police on getting information, rushed to the spot and rescued all passengers. The injured victims were immediately rushed to the hospital while arrangements were made to send the unhurt passengers to Kolkata. Investigation has been initiated to establish the turn of events. Further probe is underway and details awaited. 

Following the mishap, locals raised concern about frequent accidents on the highway and recruitment of inexperienced drivers by bus owners which puts hundreds of lives at stake.