Bhubaneswar, January 11: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday commended the local people and rescue teams for all the help given to aircraft accident victims after a private aircraft force-landed at in a field at Kainser village in Jalda-A block near Rourkela yesterday.

Taking to social media platform ‘X’ the Chief Minister said that due to the selfless services of the local people, many precious lives have been saved.

“I extend my heartfelt thanks to the local people and rescue teams for their courage and promptness during the aircraft accident in Rourkela. Due to your selfless service in times of danger, many precious lives have been saved,” wrote the CM.

“The coordinated efforts of the local administration, public, fire brigade, and police personnel are commendable. Every possible measure is being taken to ensure that injured persons get best possible treatment,” wrote CM Majhi.

Notably, the nine-seater aircraft, carrying four passengers and two captains, made a forced landing in a field at Kainser village in Jalda-A block, about 10 km from Rourkela, on Saturday following a technical snag, damaging its fuselage, nose and both landing gears.

Locals, including youths and women of Gadiatola hamlet in Kainser, helped bring the crew members and four passengers out before fire service teams and police personnel arrived at the spot. The injured were initially rushed to Rajiv Gandhi Hospital, Rourkela and latter shifted to JP Hospital.

Meanwhile, two injured air travelers have been airlifted to Fortis Hospital in Mumbai for better treatment.