Indus Valley Times

By Addanki Iswar R.

Malkangiri,25 November,2023:-Tragedy struck this morning at Hantalguda Ghat in the Swaviman area of Malkangiri district when a tipper vehicle, loaded with cement and iron rods, met with a fatal accident due to a sudden brake failure. The incident resulted in the immediate loss of six lives, with five others sustaining severe injuries as the vehicle overturned and plunged down the gorge.

The ill-fated tipper, en route to Jodamba for road construction from Chitrakonda, faced the mishap as the driver, realizing the brake malfunction, abandoned the vehicle. The subsequent plunge claimed the lives of six workers who were on board, while an additional four, including a supervisor, suffered serious injuries. Approximately ten workers were on the tipper, heading towards the roadwork site in Jodamba.

The affected road is reportedly under the jurisdiction of a developer P.K.Swain from MV-79 village. The injured have been promptly relocated to medical facilities in Jodamba and Chitrakonda CHC, while those in critical condition have been transferred to Malkangiri DHH Medical.

Expressing condolences, the Chief Minister mourned the incident and announced a compensation of 3 lakh rupees for the families of the deceased. Additionally, free medical treatment will be provided to the injured workers. The laborers involved in the tragic event hail from the Kosagumuda area of Nabarangpur.