Koraput: Around 20 people, including five children, had a close shave after an oil tanker hit the bus they were travelling in on NH-26 in Pottangi police limits early on Sunday.

"All the passengers are safe but at least five of them have been sent to Koraput hospital for treatment. Their condition is stated to be stable," said inspector in charge of Pottangi police station Dev Gomang. Police said the accident took place around 6.30am. "The bus was on its way to Padwa in Nandapur block," said Gomang.

When the bus stopped near a bridge at Kunduli, an oil tanker which was on its way to Koraput from Vishakapatnam, hit it from behind apparently due to heavy fog and low-visibility in the area.

"The bus skidded from the road and plunged into the river. All the passengers were rescued and were shifted to Kunduli hospital," he said. "A case has been registered and the driver of the truck has been arrested."