- The Markapuram district suffered a severe traffic accident which happened close to Rayavaram at a location adjacent to stone quarry sites. A private travel bus crashed into a tipper truck. The impact between both vehicles caused them to ignite.
- The fire spread through the area at a rapid pace. The bus and the tipper truck experienced total destruction. The bus belonged to Harikrishna Travels. The accident took place between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM on Thursday.
Casualties and Injuries
A total of 13 passengers died in the fire. Their bodies were recovered from the bus. Another 22 passengers suffered injuries.
- Three passengers who sustained injuries are currently experiencing their most critical health status
- All individuals who suffered injuries are currently receiving medical care at a hospital located in Markapuram
- Authorities expect the death toll may increase
The rescue teams maintained their operational activities at the accident site after the incident took place.
Passenger Details and Travel Route
The bus operated a route which went from Jagtial in Telangana to Kalikiri in the Nellore district. Officials reported that 35 passengers were on board.
Initial findings suggest:
- The rear section of the bus prevented passengers from escaping
- The front section of the bus allowed passengers to successfully escape
Reports indicate that most victims were from:
- Kalikiri
- Vinjamuru
- Udayagiri
The accident site received a visit from local officials who included Joint Collector Srinivasulu and MLA Kandula Narayana Reddy.
Government Response
N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the incident. He stated concern about the loss of lives in the fire.
He spoke with district officials to gather details. He ordered officials to:
- The injured should receive the best available medical treatment
- The authorities have to investigate the accident to identify its actual cause
- The authorities should create a complete report which needs to be submitted
Other leaders, including Nara Lokesh, Gottipati Ravikumar, Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy, and BC Janardhan Reddy, also expressed shock. They stated that the government will support the families of the deceased.
