Baripada (Mayurbhanj): At least three passengers died after a tourist bus hit a stationary truck on National Highway 18 under Betnoti police limits in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district in the early hours today.

According to reports, a private bus carrying pilgrims from Hyderabad was traveling towards Gaya in Bihar. At Budhikhamari Chhak on the NH-18 in Betnoti area, the bus hit a truck from behind that was parked at the roadside at around 5 AM on Saturday.

While the front portion of the bus was completely damaged, many passengers were injured in the mishap. The locals rescued the victims trapped inside the bus and rushed them to the Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital in Baripada.

However, three passengers succumbed to injuries at the hospital, reports said.

On receiving information, the Betnoti police reached the accident spot and investigated the incident.