Death toll in Andhra Pradesh bus accident rises to 14, several injured

At least 14 people were killed and several others injured after a private travel bus caught fire following a collision with a tipper truck in Andhra Pradesh’s Markapuram area early Thursday morning. The accident, which occurred near Rayavaram around 6:30 am, quickly turned fatal as flames engulfed the bus within minutes, trapping passengers inside.

The bus, carrying around 35 passengers, reportedly collided with the tipper near a stone quarry, triggering a massive blaze. While a few passengers managed to escape, many were unable to get out in time and were burnt alive. Emergency response teams rushed to the spot, deploying fire engines to control the flames and rescue survivors.

The injured were immediately shifted to nearby hospitals, with several reported to be in critical condition, raising concerns that the death toll could increase. Authorities have also made arrangements to shift seriously injured victims to advanced medical facilities for better treatment.

Preliminary findings suggest that the bus may have veered into the opposite lane, possibly due to a mechanical issue such as steering failure, though officials have launched a detailed probe to determine the exact cause of the accident. Control rooms and helplines have been set up to assist families and provide updates on victims.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu ordered a thorough investigation and directed officials to ensure proper medical care, while Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also conveyed condolences and sought coordination for assistance.