13 Killed, 20 Rescued After Bus–Lorry Collision in Andhra Pradesh

Markapuram (Andhra Pradesh): At least 13 people were killed and around 20 others rescued after a private bus collided with a tipper lorry near Rayavaram in Prakasam district on Thursday, officials said.

The accident occurred near slab quarries when a private travel bus operated by Harikrishna Travels, travelling from Nirmal in Telangana to Nellore, collided with a tipper lorry.

Following the impact, the bus caught fire and was completely gutted. Officials said several passengers were feared to have been burnt alive in the blaze.

Authorities confirmed that around 20 injured passengers have been shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the situation and enquired about medical assistance being provided to the injured. He expressed concern that the death toll could rise and directed officials to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the cause of the accident.

The incident comes a day after a major fire broke out near the Chief Secretary’s bungalows at Rayapudi in Amaravati. Police said the fire reportedly started in pipes stored by Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited. Firefighters deployed three fire engines to bring the blaze under control amid dense smoke and flames.

In a separate incident earlier this week, three people were killed and five others injured after two cars collided on a national highway near Ernagudem in East Godavari district.(Agencies)