9 killed, 7 injured as truck overturned in Odisha

Gajapati: As many as nine persons were killed and seven others sustained grievous injuries after a brick-laden truck overturned near Luhajhar Ghati in Gumma block of Paralakhemundi in Gajapati district on Tuesday.

The accident took place while the truck was on its way to Paralakhemundi carrying bricks from Gumma block. The labourers were also on-board the vehicle, said police.

While five people died on the spot, four succumbed to the injuries at the hospital, said police.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced Rs 2 lakh exgratia each to the kin of deceased and free treatment for the injured.

Sources said the tipper’s driver lost control of the vehicle while negotiating the ghat road and the vehicle turned turtle and rolled down killing five labourers on the spot.