8 killed as car carrying Odisha family falls into rain-filled drain in Madhya Pradesh

Eight people, including seven members of a family from Odisha, died after their car fell into a drain in Madhya Pradesh's Agar Malwa district early Saturday, officials said. The eighth person was the driver, a resident of Madhya Pradesh, whose identity is not yet known.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said he was saddened by the deaths and directed officials to coordinate with the Madhya Pradesh government and local administration to speed up procedures and ensure the bodies are brought back to Odisha with due dignity.

The accident took place near the Bagulamukhi temple in Nalkheda town, around 30 km from the district headquarters, Nalkheda police station in-charge Shashi Upadhyay said. He said the car carrying devotees from Odisha fell into a drain overflowing with rainwater. All the occupants, including three children and two women, died.

In a post on X, Majhi said, "Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Odia tourists in an accident in Madhya Pradesh. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. May the departed souls rest in peace."

Officials in Bhubaneswar identified the deceased as Sibaprasad Behera (43), Rojalin Behera (34), Ritarani Behera (36), Gyanendra Behera (40), Sai Swarna Prava Behera (6), Krishna Rajbir (13) and Sai Swastik Behera (10). Pritish Panda, Officer on Special Duty of the Directorate of Odisha Paribar, said the state government was in close contact with its Madhya Pradesh counterpart on the chief minister's instruction.

"Our chief secretary (Anu Garg) already talked to her counterpart in MP, and efforts are underway to bring back the mortal remains of the Odia tourists," Panda said.

The accident claimed eight lives, including seven people from an Odisha family and their driver, after the car plunged into a rain-filled drain in Agar Malwa district, with Odisha and Madhya Pradesh authorities now coordinating to bring the bodies back.