Bhubaneswar/UNI: In a tragic accident, eight pilgrims died and twelve injured when the vehicle they were on their way to have darshan of Maa Tarini in Odisha’s Keonjhar district hit a stranded truck in the early hours on Friday.

Police said the accident took place on National Highway number 20 near Ghatagaon, just a few kms away from the Maa Tarini temple.

While seven pilgrims died on the spot, one child succumbed to the injuries in the hospital.

Sources said the deceased belonged to Podamari from Digapahandi block in Ganjam district.

The injured were first admitted to the nearby Ghatagaon but later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed his profound grief to the bereaved family members in the mishap and announced an ex-gratia of Rs three lakh to the next of kin of the deceased.

Patnaik directed the administration to provide free medical treatment to all the twelve injured persons and prayed for their speedy recovery.