At least six persons were killed and four others sustained critical injuries after a speeding bus rammed into an auto-rickshaw near Ladakapalli Chhak under Purushottampur police limits in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Friday.

According to preliminary reports, around 10 members of a family were travelling in the auto-rickshaw to the famous Maa Singhasini shrine when the tragic accident took place. Eyewitnesses said the speeding bus hit the auto from behind and allegedly dragged it for some distance, causing severe damage to the vehicle.

Three persons reportedly died on the spot due to the impact of the collision. The remaining seven injured passengers were immediately rescued by locals and police personnel and rushed to Kodala Medical for treatment. However, doctors declared three more victims dead on arrival at the hospital, taking the death toll to six.

Sources said the condition of the four surviving victims remains critical. Considering their serious condition, they were later shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for advanced treatment.

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Soon after the mishap, the bus driver allegedly fled the spot along with the vehicle. A joint team of Kodala and Purushottampur Police reached the accident site and initiated an investigation into the incident. Police have launched efforts to trace the absconding driver and identify the bus involved in the accident.

The tragic mishap triggered panic and tension in the area as a large number of locals gathered at the spot following the incident.