Vijaywada: At least nine people lost their lives and several others were injured after the bus they were travelling in plunged into a gorge in Rajugarimetta on the Chintoor-Maredumilli ghat road in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district of Andhra Pradesh on Friday morning.
There were about 35 people in the bus, including two drivers. Twenty of them have been admitted to hospital. Most of those affected are from the Chittoor district, while some are from Bengaluru.
The bus was on its way to Bhadrachalam in Telangana from Lammasingi of ASR district when the mishap occurred.
Preliminary findings suggest that the driver lost control due to dense fog and poor visibility while traversing through the ghat and the bus plunged into a gorge around 4.40 am on Friday. Nine people died on the spot and some others are critical. The injured have been moved to hospitals in Chintoor, Rampachodavram and Bhadrachalam in five ambulances.
Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the incident and directed the officials of the various departments to provide best treatment possible to the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief and announced a compensation for the families of the victims.
“Pained by the loss of lives due to a bus mishap in the Alluri Sitharama Raju district of Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the PM posted on X.
“An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” the PMO announced.
Authorities said that fog and mist claim at least 600 to 700 lives in Andhra Pradesh between December and February every year. They cautioned drivers to exercise caution, particularly when traversing hilly terrain.
