Four persons were charred to death and 20 others sustained burn injuries on January 21st when a tourist bus from Madhya Pradesh caught fire near Kalpana Square, Bhubaneshwar around 8.30 am. The 50 seater bus was carrying 80-85 pilgrims on its way from Puri in Orissa to Bodhgaya in Bihar.

Seven injured victims were shifted to SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack, while eleven victims are being treated at the Capital Hospital. The State Government has made arrangements for return of 28 survivors to their native place in Madhya Pradesh. Nearly 30 passengers are still staying in a guest house.

"Red Cross Ambulance was first to respond and shuttled between the site of the accident and the hospital to ferry the victims" informed Mr. Rabiratna Das, Honorary Secretary of Orissa State Branch over phone.

He said that milk and food were provided to the victims. As the first respondents, the Orissa State Branch informed the local Government, negotiated with the nearby hospitals and got in touch with the Madhya Pradesh, as the victims belonged to that particular State. The Orissa branch Secretary got in touch with the National Headquarters to pass on the information telephonically as the team was organising medical and other assistance for the victims.

"We started withdrawing from the tragic episode only after the Orissa and Madhya Pradesh State Government's had taken over the responsibility of transferring the dead and the injured to their respective native places" informed the Honorary Secretary.

He further said that he is still closely monitoring the situation and would readily assist if any further need arises.