A tragic road accident near Mugakani village under Rajnagar block in Kendrapara district claimed the lives of two labourers on Wednesday, leaving the local community in deep shock. The incident occurred when a pickup van carrying workers overturned after losing balance on the roadside.

According to reports, the labourers had completed road repair work and were returning in the vehicle when the accident took place. The pickup reportedly skidded and fell off the road, resulting in a fatal crash that killed two workers on the spot.

The deceased have been identified as Sumanth Mohanty from Gokhani village and Kumar Barik from Chinchiri village. Their sudden deaths have left their families devastated and the entire region mourning.

Three Critically Injured, Shifted to Cuttack

In the same accident, three other labourers sustained critical injuries. They were immediately rescued from the accident site and shifted to Cuttack Medical College and Hospital for advanced treatment. Their condition is reported to be serious.

“A road accident occurred while they were returning from an construction site where the mishap took place. They were travelling in a pick-up van carrying four labourers. Two of them sustained minor injuries and were brought here for treatment. The other two labourers were declared dead on arrival,” said Rashmiranjan Mohanty, Medical Officer.

“While I was walking on the road, I witnessed a pick-up van lose control and skid off the road. When I went closer to see what had happened, I saw seven to eight labourers trapped under the vehicle. Myself and five others tried our best to rescue them. One was declared dead at the spot, and another labourer died while being taken to the hospital,” said local resident Dilip Pal.

Police have also begun an investigation into the cause of the accident, including whether overloading or poor road conditions contributed to the mishap.

The incident has once again highlighted the harsh realities faced by daily wage workers, who often travel in unsafe conditions after long hours of labour under the scorching sun. 

The tragedy has cast a pall of gloom over the entire region, with villagers demanding better safety measures and transport facilities for workers engaged in public works.