Sambalpur, Aug. 21: At least 10 people were killed and four others critically injured today when the Tata Magic van in which they were travelling collided head-on with a truck on NH-55 near Bhawanipali under Jujumura police station limits in Sambalpur district.

The NH-55 connects Sambalpur and Bhubaneswar.

While four persons died on the spot, six others succumbed to injuries in the hospital. The accident took place around 2.30pm.

The deceased included six women and a minor. The crash also killed the van's driver.

All the deceased were from Parmanpur village and were returning home after offering their prayers at Hatibari's Kalpeshwar temple.

Though the seating capacity of the van was seven, there were 14 persons in it. Local police said the driver had lost control after a front tyre of the van burst.

Thereafter, the van wobbled and dashed against the 12-wheeler truck that was coming from the opposite direction. The truck driver fled the scene.

The local people rushed the injured to nearby hospitals. They also retrieved the bodies of the dead from the mangled van.

Expressing grief, chief minister Naveen Patnaik today announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the kin of the deceased and free medical treatment for the injured.

Sambalpur district Red Cross also announced Rs 10,000 as ex-gratia payment for the kin of the deceased. Cutting across political parties, leaders rushed to the local hospitals to inquire about the condition of the injured.