Russian scientist dies in Orissa accident

A Russian scientist was killed on Thursday and 14 people, including nine Russians injured when their vehicle fell into a deep ravine in Rayagada (Orissa).

While Korolev Victor, 56, was involved in the manufacturing of the Sukhoi fighter aircraft engine at Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), the other injured included nine Russian relatives of HAL staff members, said police.

The accident occurred early on Thursday when their vehicle slipped off the road at Mukundpur ghat, 15 km from the district headquarters of Rayagada, and plunged 400 ft, said police inspector DK Mallik.

Most of the passengers were employees of HAL at Sunabeda in neighbouring Koraput district. They had gone for a visit to the coastal town of Puri.

Korolev Victor was killed on the spot. "The injured, including the nine Russians, are out of danger after treatment," said chief district medical officer Hrudananda Sethi.