Bonai, Dec 27: In a heart-wrenching incident, two truck drivers lost their lives following a catastrophic head-on collision between two heavy vehicles on National Highway-520 in Odisha's Sundargarh district. The tragic accident occurred early on Saturday at around 2 am near Kundurupani Chhak, located in the accident-prone Chunaghati stretch under K. Balang police limits.

According to reports, a dump truck and a coal-laden truck collided violently, triggering a massive fire. The force of the collision was so intense that both vehicles were immediately engulfed in flames. Fire services personnel from Koida, along with local police, rushed to the scene and worked tirelessly to bring the blaze under control.

The fire completely gutted the trucks, making it difficult for rescuers to immediately reach the trapped drivers. Using gas cutters, police teams eventually managed to cut open the mangled remains of the vehicles and recover the charred bodies of the two drivers. As of now, the identities of the deceased have not been confirmed, and their bodies have been sent for post-mortem examination.

The collision caused significant disruption to traffic on NH-520, with vehicles stuck in long queues on both sides of the highway for several hours. The incident has raised concerns about the safety of the Chunaghati stretch, which is known for frequent accidents.

Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the collision. Efforts are also underway to identify the victims and inform their families. The tragic accident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers on Odisha's highways, highlighting the need for enhanced road safety measures.