Bhubaneswar, 10 July (H.S.): A police van carrying 22 personnel met with an accident early this morning near Mandimera-Jangudi under Adaba police limits in Gajapati district. The team was returning to Koraput after completing their Rath Yatra deployment when the vehicle reportedly lost control and veered off the road, plunging into a roadside ditch.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the van struck a culvert before skidding off an embankment along a winding stretch of the road. The incident occurred during the pre-dawn hours, when visibility in the hilly terrain was reportedly low. Early findings indicate that driver fatigue or negligence could have contributed to the crash, though the exact cause remains under investigation.

All 22 police personnel on board were safely rescued. Fortunately, only four to five sustained minor injuries, and none were reported to be in serious condition. The injured personnel received prompt medical attention at a nearby health facility.

Adaba police arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and have launched a detailed inquiry. Investigators are currently examining the vehicle’s mechanical condition and collecting eyewitness accounts to establish the sequence of events. Authorities are also probing whether overspeeding or a possible brake failure played a role in the mishap.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda