Andhra Bus Accident: Death Toll Rises To Nine; PM Modi Expresses Grief, Announces Aid

Chinturu, Andhra Pradesh: Nine people were killed and 23 others were injured after a bus plunged off a ghat road and overturned in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitaramaraju district early Friday, police said.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep anguish over the tragedy.The bus, which was heading to neighbouring Telangana, had 37 people on board, including the driver and cleaner. Six passengers escaped unhurt. Superintendent of Police (SP) Amit Bardar said the accident occurred around 4.30 am on Chintoor-Maredumilli ghat road near a Durga temple.Also Read | Andhra Horror: Class 10 Girl Taken From Gurukul Hostel By 'Relatives', Raped At Lodge "At least nine people were killed, and 23 were injured as the bus fell off the ghat road. It turned turtle... and got stuck," Bardar told PTI, adding that four of the injured are critical.Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of lives in a bus accident in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitharama Raju district. The prime minister also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.“My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” a PMO statement said.In a post on X, the Andhra Chief Minister said officials have been instructed to provide assistance to affected families."The accident involving a private bus carrying passengers near the Chittoor district in Alluri Sitarama Raju has deeply shaken us. It is heartbreaking that several lives were lost in this accident. I have spoken with the officials regarding the accident and gathered details about the assistance being provided to the affected individuals. I have instructed the officials to take all necessary measures to ensure that the injured receive better medical aid. The government will stand by the families of those who lost their lives in the accident," Naidu said.

What Led To The Accident?

Heavy fog may have prevented the bus driver from seeing a curve at the accident site, according to the official. The bus plunged from a higher section of ghat road and was lying upside down by a road located below. The accident occurred near the China Wall, which was built to prevent vehicles from plunging off the road."We don't think the death toll will rise, and the four critically injured persons are doing okay," said a police official.The accident occurred near the China Wall, which was built to prevent vehicles from plunging off the road. "We don't think the death toll will rise, and the four critically injured persons are doing okay," said a police official.Anitha said travel on ghat roads will be barred at night time to prevent such mishaps, the release added.