Bhubaneswar, August 9: More than 15 Kanwariyas, including the driver, were injured after a Tata Ace vehicle carrying the pilgrims overturned near Mayapatna Square on National Highway-16 in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Sunday.

It is reported that the accident occurred under the Chamakhandi police station limits after the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle. The mini truck overturned on the highway, injuring the pilgrims.

Following the incident, locals and police personnel rescued the injured Kanwariyas and rushed them to the Chhatrapur Government Sub-Divisional Hospital for treatment.

The driver sustained injuries and was subsequently shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Brahmapur for advanced treatment.

The Kanwariyas were reportedly from the Jagadalpur area under the Nimakhandi police station limits. They were going to the Rushikulya River in Ganjam to collect holy water as part of their Shravan pilgrimage.

The pilgrims were scheduled to carry the holy water to Aleswar Shiva Temple and perform ‘Jala Abhishek’ as part of their religious observance during the holy month of Shravan.

On being informed, police reached the spot and initiated an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.