At least six people were killed and nine others injured when the truck carrying them overturned amid heavy rain in Mayurbhanj district on Wednesday, police said.

He told that this accident happened in the morning in Dharsuni Ghat area on National Highway-49.

While the driver managed to flee the spot, the injured were admitted to PRM Medical College and Hospital, Baripada, a police officer said.

The truck was carrying technicians and equipment used for folk theater from Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj to Jaleshwar in Balasore.

The officer said that the driver lost control of the vehicle amid heavy rain, after which the vehicle overturned and fell into a ditch.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed grief over the deaths and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh each to the kin of each deceased.

(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)