Jajpur SP Vinit Agarwal described the event as ‘unfortunate.’ He stated, “This unfortunate incident happened with a bus which was going from Puri towards West Bengal, there were around 47 passengers on the bus.” Tapan Kumar Naik, Inspector in-Charge of Dharamshala Police Station, confirmed the casualties, saying, “Four men and a woman have died in the accident. Around 40 people were injured, and they were taken to Cuttack SCB Medical College.”
Authorities revealed that the driver lost control over the vehicle, leading to the fatal plunge. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the deaths and announced an ex gratia of ₹3 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased. “I am saddened to know about the passenger bus accident in Barbati Street area of Jajpur district. I pray for the immortal soul of the deceased and express my condolences to their families. Also, I wish all the injured a speedy recovery,” the chief minister wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Transport Commissioner Amitav Thakur stated that the bus was bound for Haldia in West Bengal and that a team of doctors had been formed to treat the injured passengers.Nikhil Pavan Kalyan, Collector and District Magistrate of Jajpur, highlighted the use of gas cutters to rescue passengers from the bus. SP Vinit Agrawal added that the deceased are yet to be identified and that most of the passengers hailed from West Bengal. The injured, including women and children, were being transported to Cuttack with the help of 16 ambulances.Authorities continue to investigate the incident, with more details awaited.
