Malkangiri: Tragedy struck in Odisha’s Malkangiri district as a cement-laden truck, carrying 13 labourers, overturned on a ghat road, resulting in the death of six workers and injuries to seven others. Malkangiri Superintendent of Police (SP) Nitesh Wadhwani reported that the incident occurred on the route to the Jodamba area in Swabhiman Anchala.
The truck, loaded with cement and iron rods, met with the accident in Hantalaguda, trapping the labourers under cement bags. Prompt response from the police and local residents was required to extricate the trapped workers.
Unfortunately, five labourers lost their lives at the scene, and another injured individual succumbed to injuries at the hospital. The seven injured workers were initially taken to a nearby government hospital in Jodamba and later transferred to Chitrakonda for further medical attention.
Expressing sorrow over the incident, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced an ex-gratia of Rs.3 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased labourer. In addition to financial support, the Chief Minister ordered free-of-cost treatment for the injured persons and extended his wishes for their speedy recovery. The tragic incident has cast a pall of grief over the community, prompting authorities to ensure necessary assistance and support for the affected families.
