Nine people lost their lives and 13 suffered injuries after a van overturned in Kotpad.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed grief over a van accident in Odisha's Koraput, in which nine people were killed.
"My thoughts are with all those who have lost their dear ones in the tragic accident at Koraput, Odisha. I hope those injured recovers at the earliest," the Office of the Prime Minister tweeted.
Nine people lost their lives on Sunday and 13 suffered injuries after a van overturned in Kotpad of Odisha's Koraput district.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of family of nine people who died. He also announced Rs 50,000 for the people who were seriously injured in the accident.
"An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the unfortunate road accident in Koraput, Odisha. Rs 50,000 would be given to those seriously injured," the Office of the Prime Minister tweeted.
According to District Magistrate Madhusudan Mishra, the passengers were traveling to Kulta village in Chhattisgarh from Sindhiguda village in Odisha.
"Nine persons were killed in the incident and 13 have been seriously injured. A pickup van overturned in Kotpad in Koraput district. All passengers were from the Kulta village in Chhattisgarh and were returning from Sindhiguda village. The drunken driver fled from the spot," Madhusudan Mishra said.
He further informed that seven injured persons have been shifted to the Lakshman Nayak Medical College, Koraput. Two are admitted to Kotpad Community Health Center.
As per Sub Collector Jaypore Hemakanta Saya, four other injured persons have been admitted to Jagdalpur Hospital.
The bodies of the victims have been sent to the Kotpad Community Health Center. Seven died on the spot and two at Kotpad hospital. More than 30 persons were traveling in the van.