Bhubaneswar, Feb. 8 -- At least 17 people were injured after a pickup van plunged from a height of around 10 feet in Ganjam district on Sunday.

The accident occurred near Jarau village when the vehicle, carrying a large number of passengers, reportedly lost control and fell off the road. Of the injured, nine persons sustained critical injuries, while the others suffered minor injuries.

The injured include five women and three children. According to sources, around 25 to 27 people were travelling in the pickup van from Sorada to Khariguda to attend a religious programme when the accident took place.

Local residents rushed to the spot immediately after the incident and assisted in rescuing the injured passengers. The victims were first t...