Cuttack, June 29: A major mishap was averted after a passenger bus veered off the road and plunged into a roadside ditch on National Highway-55 near Kajalakana Chhak in Choudwar of Cuttack district on Monday. All 40 passengers on board escaped unhurt.

According to reports, the bus, named 'Babamani', was travelling from Dhenkanal to Cuttack when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, causing it to skid off the highway.

On being informed, personnel from the Choudwar Police and the Fire Services rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. All passengers were safely evacuated from the bus.

No casualties have been reported in the incident. The exact cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained, while further investigation is underway.