Boudh, Oct 23: A fatal road accident occurred near Luisinga village under Kantamal police limits, along the Boudh–Kandhamal border, leaving two people dead and several others seriously injured.

According to reports, a pickup van carrying 11 labourers from Kantamal was en route to Phulbani for work when a speeding highway truck coming from the opposite direction rammed into it. The impact was so severe that the truck reportedly climbed onto the pickup, killing two persons on the spot.

The injured were rushed to Kantamal Community Health Centre for preliminary treatment and later shifted to Balangir District Headquarters Hospital after their condition deteriorated.

BSF jawans, fire service personnel, police, and local residents immediately reached the spot and carried out rescue operations. The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the area, while police have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.