A pilgrimage turned tragic in southern India after a bus plunged into a deep ravine in thick fog, killing at least nine people and injuring nearly two dozen others.
At least nine people were killed and more than 20 injured when a private bus carrying pilgrims fell into a gorge in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district on Friday morning (12 December). The vehicle was navigating a steep ghat road in heavy fog when it reportedly skidded off the edge. There were 37 people on board, all from the Chittoor district.
The accident happened between 4:00 and 5:30 local time on the Chinturu-Maredumilli ghat road, a winding route notorious for its sharp curves. Police say the driver probably lost control because of poor visibility from the winter fog and may have been speeding when the vehicle failed to make a turn near Tulasipakalu village.
The group of pilgrims had been visiting temples across the region. They’d already been to the Bhadrachalam temple in neighboring Telangana and were heading to Annavaram when it happened. Because the crash occurred in a remote area with weak mobile coverage, it took a while for distress signals to reach authorities, which delayed the initial rescue.
Rescue teams, including local police and residents, climbed down the ravine to pull survivors from the wreckage. The injured were rushed to hospitals in Bhadrachalam and Chintur. Several are in critical condition.
“The accident involving a private bus… has deeply shaken us. It is heartbreaking that several lives were lost,” said Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who ordered an immediate investigation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences, saying he was “pained by the loss of lives.” His office announced compensation of 200,000 rupees (£1,860) for the families of those who died and 50,000 rupees (£465) for the injured.
Road accidents are tragically common in India. They’re often blamed on poor road maintenance, reckless driving, and old vehicles. The ghat roads of the Eastern Ghats, where this accident happened, are particularly dangerous because of their treacherous bends and the lack of protective barriers in some sections.
This tragedy is just the latest in a series of similar incidents. Just days ago, a separate accident in Arunachal Pradesh involving a minitruck killed 21 people, showing just how dangerous travel in India’s hilly areas can be during the winter months.
Authorities are working to identify the victims. Many are believed to be from the same community in Chittoor. The death toll could go up since several passengers are still in critical care. The state government has ordered transport officials to conduct a safety audit of the ghat road to try to prevent more accidents during the busy pilgrimage season.
Also Read / Train Services Disrupted in Delhi as Two Coaches Derail at Shakur Basti.
Leave a comment