Andhra Pradesh: 13 dead in Markapuram road accident

MARKAPURAM (Andhra Pradesh): Thirteen people were killed and 20 others rescued after a private bus collided with a tipper lorry near Rayavaram in Prakasam district on Thursday. The private bus, operated by Harikrishna Travels, was travelling from Nirmal in Telangana to Nellore.

Following the collision, the bus caught fire and was completely gutted. According to officials, several passengers were feared to have been burnt alive in the incident.

The Prime Minister’s Office on Thursday expressed grief over the tragic road accident in Markapuram district, Andhra Pradesh, and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

Taking it to X, the PMO office tweeted, “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. 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: PM”.

Earlier, speaking to officials, Chief Minister N Chandra Babu Naidu inquired about medical assistance being provided to the injured. District police informed him that around 20 injured persons have been shifted to various hospitals for treatment. Chandrababu Naidu expressed concern over reports that the death toll could rise further. He directed authorities to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the causes of the accident and submit a detailed report.

The incident comes just a day after a major fire broke out near the Chief Secretary’s bungalows at Rayapudi in Amaravati. According to police, the fire reportedly started in pipes stored by Megha Engineering Company, with firefighters and police personnel deploying three fire engines to control the blaze amid thick smoke and intense flames.

In a separate development, three people were killed as two cars collided on the national highway near Ernagudem in the East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, on Sunday. According to a police official, five people were injured in the incident. (ANI)