President Droupadi Murmu condoles loss of lives in Odisha bus accident

Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu expressed condolence over loss of lives in tragic bus accident in Odisha’s Ganjam district.

Taking to Twitter, the President of India wrote:

Deeply saddened to hear about the loss of lives in a road accident in Ganjam, Odisha. I convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured.

At least 12 people including two minors and four women were killed and seven others were when a private bus carrying them collided with a state-run Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) bus near Digapahandi on Berhampur-Taptapani road in wee hours today.

The incident occurred at 1 am on Sunday night. All the occupants of private bus were returning from a wedding party in Berhampur. Out of 12 dead, 11 were identified as relatives of former Rajya Sabha member Renubala Pradhan.

Earlier in the day, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed grief over deaths of people in the bus accident.

While CM announced ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh each to next of kin of the deceased and free medical treatment to those injured, Prime Minister announced ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 each for injured persons.