Odisha: 9 dead after bus with 30 people onboard falls off Mahanadi bridge in CuttackOdisha: 12 killed, 49 injured after bus falls off Mahanadi bridge in CuttackOdisha: 12 killed, 49 injured after bus falls off Mahanadi bridge in Cuttack

A bus with around 30 people onboard fell off a bridge in Jagatpur in Odisha's Cuttack district. Rescue teams were rushed to the spot. "A bus carrying around 30 passengers fell from the Mahanadi bridge near Jagatpur in Cuttack today. Rescue teams present at the spot," news agency ANI reported.

Seven people have died after a bus carrying around 30 passengers fell off the Mahanadi bridge near Jagatpur in Cuttack. Photo: ANI

CUTTACK: At least 12 people were killed and 49 injured after a bus fell into the Mahanadi riverbed from a bridge near Jagatpur in Odisha's Cuttack district on Wednesday evening. Rescue teams were rushed to the spot to save the trapped passengers. According to reports, a private bus was on its way from Chandikhole to Cuttack when the driver lost control of the vehicle. The ill-fated hit a buffalo on the road, crashed into the railing of the bridge and plunged 30 feet down into the dry riverbed. According to eyewitnesses, the driver of the bus lost control when a buffalo came in front of it. The driver swerved the bus to save the animal and thus the accident happened, a police officer said. Senior Police officials and a team of Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) rushed to the spot to rescue the injured passengers. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has expressed grief over the incident and directed his minister Chandra Sarathy Behera to visit accident site. Patnaik has also announced ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each to the next kin of the deceased, and free treatment for those injured. Emergency officer of SCB Medical College and Hospital B N Maharana said they have received 12 bodies. Among the deceased nine were men and three woman. Forty-nine people were undergoing treatment at the hospital, Maharana said.

#SpotVisuals: A bus carrying around 30 passengers fell from the Mahanadi bridge near Jagatpur in Cuttack today. Rescue teams present at the spot. More details awaited. #Odisha pic.twitter.com/Mkqr00R7DW

— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2018

#UPDATE: 7 people dead after a bus carrying around 30 passengers fell from the Mahanadi bridge near Jagatpur in Cuttack today. Rescue operations underway. #Odisha pic.twitter.com/eLqaItdWlQ

— ANI (@ANI) November 20, 2018

Commissioner of Police Satyajit Mohanty is overseeing the rescue operation at the spot. Police said the injured have been admitted in nearby hospitals for their treatment.