A private travel bus collided with a tipper and caught fire in Andhra Pradesh’s Markapuram district, killing 13 people and injuring 22.
While initial estimates by District Superintendent of Police V Harshvardhan Raju suggested 14 deaths, an official release from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) later confirmed 13 deaths.
President Draupadi Murmu expressed grief over the loss of life and property in the accident and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.
“I am deeply saddened to learn about the tragic bus accident in Markapuram district of Andhra Pradesh. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims. My prayers are with them. I wish the injured a speedy recovery,” Murmu said on Twitter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the deceased and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF to the next of kin of each deceased.
Prime Minister Modi said, “The accident in Markapuram district of Andhra Pradesh is very sad. My deepest condolences to all those who lost their loved ones. I wish speedy recovery of the injured. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh will be given to the families of each deceased by PMNRF. Rs 50,000 will be given to the injured.”
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow and grief over the road accident near Raivaram in Markapuram district.
“There were a total of 35 passengers on board the bus at the time of the accident, out of which 13 died, while 22 injured passengers are undergoing treatment. The condition of three of the injured is said to be critical,” the statement said.
The bus collided with the diesel tank of the tipper, causing a massive fire.
Officials said rescue operations are underway and a command and control room has been set up at the Markapuram sub-collector’s office to assist the families.
The accident took place in a private bus going from Jagtial in Telangana to Kaligiri in Nellore district between 5:30 am and 6 am. The truck overturned and due to the force of the collision, the front part of the bus completely broke apart.
According to officials, the bus driver reportedly reported that the steering wheel was jammed, and officials are verifying the claim. Initial assessment suggests that the bus had moved into the opposite lane before the accident.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister held a teleconference with senior officials and ministers in which he directed to provide best possible medical care to the injured and announced adequate compensation to the families of the dead and injured passengers.
Ordering an inquiry into the accident, Naidu expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and assured full support from the state government.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed deep grief over the incident. Revanth Reddy directed State Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao to gather complete information about the victims and injured in the accident.
He directed them to coordinate with Andhra Pradesh officials. The Chief Minister also ordered that the injured receive the best possible medical care.
Following instructions from the chief minister, Rao spoke to his Andhra Pradesh counterpart, an official release said.
