Nine killed, several injured as bus carrying 35 passengers plunges into gorge in Andhra Pradesh
Authorities confirmed that the bus had 35 passengers, along with the driver and cleaner. Rescue work is still going on, and officials warned that the death toll could increase.
PTC News Desk: Nine people died and several others were injured when a private bus with 35 passengers overturned and fell into a gorge on the road between Chinturu in Andhra Pradesh and Bhadrachalam early Friday morning, officials said.
The crash happened around 5.30 am near Tulasipakalu village. The bus, which is said to be from Chittoor district, was carrying tourists who had visited the Bhadrachalam temple and were heading to Annavaram when it suddenly went off the road and tumbled into the valley. Eyewitnesses said there was panic as many passengers were trapped inside the badly damaged bus.
Police and local rescue teams rushed to the spot to pull out survivors and recover the bodies. Authorities confirmed that the bus had 35 passengers, along with the driver and cleaner. Rescue work is still going on, and officials warned that the death toll could increase.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the accident and announced compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of those who died and ₹50,000 for each injured person.
"Pained by the loss of lives due to a bus mishap in the Alluri Sitarama 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 Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a post on X.