9 Pilgrims Dead, 22 Hurt As Bus Plunges into Gorge in ASR District
According to reports, a total of 35 passengers were travelling in the bus
Visakhapatnam: Nine pilgrims died on the spot and 22 more were injured when the bus carrying 37 passengers fell into a ditch in the forest area of Rajugarimettu on the Chintoor-Maredumilli road near Mothugudem, in Alluri Sitarama Raju district, in the early hours of Friday.
Reports said thick growth of trees there saved the bus from falling into the gorge. The deceased were S.V. Nageswara Rao, Sailaja Rani, Syamala, Sunanda, Siva Shankar, Madhu, Srikala, Uma Reddy and Krishna Kumari.
All the victims belonged to Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh and a few were from Bengaluru.
The bus started from Chittoor on December 6 and touched down in Srikurmam and Arasavalli Sun Temple in Srikakulam district before it reached Simchachalam on December 11 evening. The bus started for Bhadrachalam after its pack of pilgrims visited Araku Valley and proceeded further on to its disastrous course.
At the time of the mishap, the bus had 37 occupants including two drivers and three cooks.The police said the tour party was on its way to Bhadrachalam in Telangana. They also visited Srikurmam in Srikakulam district, Lammasingi, Araku Valley and a few other temple places on Thursday.
“The driver was not familiar with the ghat roads and was negligent while applying the brakes at the curve. Thick fog added to the tragedy,’’ said SP Amit Bardar. He said the police reached the spot within an hour of the incident. “The injured are safe and recovering in Chinturu, Rampachodavaram and Bhadrachalam hospitals.”
Traffic was suspended for some time to facilitate the rescue work. Those with critical injuries were later rushed to larger medical facilities for advanced care.
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Ministers Lokesh and Anitha Express Deep Shock Over Chinturu Bus Tragedy; Assure Full Support to Victims
Minister Nara Lokesh expressed profound grief over the road accident in which a bus plunged into a gorge, leading to the tragic death of several pilgrims. He said the incident was extremely painful and directed officials to provide immediate and necessary medical treatment to the injured. Lokesh assured that the government will stand firmly by the families of the victims.
Home Minister Anitha also expressed deep shock over the accident. She sought complete details about the mishap from the police and instructed authorities to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care. Both ministers emphasized that the government is committed to supporting the affected families during this difficult time.
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CM Chandrababu Naidu Expresses Shock, Orders Relief After Deadly Bus Plunge in ASR District
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep shock over the tragic bus accident that occurred in Alluri Sitharama Raju district on Friday morning.
A private bus with 35 passengers travelling from Bhadrachalam to Annavaram plunged into a valley at Raju Garimetta curve in ASR district. Many have been feared dead and the injured persons has been shifted to Chintur Hospital for treatment.
“I spoke to the authorities about the accident and got to know the details of the assistance being provided to the victims,” said Chandrababu Naidu in a post on X.
The Chief Minister has directed the authorities to take all necessary steps to ensure that the injured receive better medical assistance. He also assured government support to the families of deceased.
