Rourkela

A nine-seater aircraft carrying passengers and crew made an emergency crash-landing at Kansar near Rourkela in Odisha’s Sundargarh district on Saturday, prompting an immediate rescue operation. Some occupants were initially reported to be trapped inside the aircraft.

Fire and rescue teams from Rourkela and Panposh fire stations were rushed to the site soon after authorities received information about the incident. Rescue efforts were carried out to ensure the safe evacuation of all those onboard.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed concern over the incident but said that all passengers were safe. In a post on social media platform X, the Chief Minister described the news as reassuring and attributed the safe outcome to divine grace.

“I am deeply saddened to learn about the plane crash in Rourkela. It is reassuring to know that all passengers are safe by the grace of Lord Jagannath,” Majhi wrote.

He added that instructions had been issued to provide immediate and high-quality medical treatment to those who sustained injuries. The Chief Minister also said he was personally monitoring the situation and prayed for the speedy recovery of all affected.

The aircraft was operating a flight of IndiaOne Air. Authorities said further details regarding the cause of the crash-landing and the condition of the passengers are awaited.

Separately, the Chief Minister recently announced measures to strengthen Odisha’s emergency healthcare infrastructure. In December, Majhi flagged off the first batch of 150 ambulances as part of a plan to deploy 428 ‘108’ emergency vehicles across the state.

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Speaking earlier to ANI, he said the initiative aims to reduce response time and ensure faster medical assistance in both urban and rural areas. The remaining ambulances are expected to be rolled out by the end of January, he added, reiterating the government’s commitment to providing free and efficient emergency services.