Markapuram (Andhra Pradesh), Mar 26 (TNT): At least 13 passengers were burnt alive and 22 others injured, three of them critically, when a private travel bus caught fire after colliding with a tipper truck near Rayavaram village in Markapuram district of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday morning.
According to police, the bus, carrying around 35 passengers, was travelling from Jagityal in Telangana to Nellore when it rammed into the tipper lorry on a highway stretch, triggering a massive blaze.
Ten passengers died on the spot, while three others succumbed to injuries during treatment at the Government General Hospital (GGH).
Several victims were charred beyond recognition, making identification difficult. Women and children were among the deceased, officials said.
Fire tenders rushed to the spot and doused the flames, but both the bus and the tipper truck were completely gutted.
The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, while those in critical condition were later moved to RIMS Hospital in Ongole for advanced treatment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
“The mishap in Markapuram district, Andhra Pradesh, is tragic. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock and directed officials to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured.
He also ordered a thorough probe into the accident and assured support and compensation to the victims’ families.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy conveyed his condolences and instructed officials to coordinate with Andhra Pradesh authorities to gather details of the victims and ensure proper medical care.
YSR Congress Party president and former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed profound grief over the tragedy and urged the government to provide immediate assistance and conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the incident.
Authorities have set up a control room at the RDO office in Markapuram with mobile phone numbeers — 6304285613, 9985733999 and 7989537285 to provide information about the deceased and injured.
TNT KM
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