Andhra Pradesh: 7 killed, 8 injured after private bus collides with auto-rickshaw in Chilakaluripet

Representational image. File pic

At least seven people, including six women, were killed and eight others injured after a private travels bus collided with an auto-rickshaw in Andhra Pradesh's Palnadu district in the early hours of Thursday, police said.

Bus travelling to Tirupati collides with three-wheeler

The accident occurred near Adda Road in Chilakaluripet when the private bus, which was travelling from Vijayawada towards Tirupati, collided with the auto-rickshaw.

According to police, 15 people were travelling in the three-wheeler. Seven of them were killed in the accident, while eight others, including four children, sustained injuries.

The injured were shifted to the Government General Hospital (GGH) in Guntur and the Chilakaluripet Government Hospital for treatment.

Victims were returning from birthday party

Police said the victims were residents of Veluru village in Chilakaluripet mandal. They were returning home after attending a birthday party at Kondamanjulur in neighbouring Prakasam district when the accident took place.

Four people died at the accident spot, while two others succumbed to their injuries at GGH, Guntur. Another victim died while undergoing treatment at Chilakaluripet Government Hospital.

The deceased were identified as Bontu Babu, 62, Bontu Manemma, 55, Sampurnamma, 70, Gangamma, 50, Lakshmamma, 75, Choutupalli Swarthamma, 45, and Mariamma, 45.

CM Naidu directs officials to monitor injured

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep shock over the accident and conveyed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

Officials briefed the Chief Minister that all the deceased belonged to Veluru village and that critically injured persons had been shifted to Guntur General Hospital.

Naidu directed officials to ensure that the injured receive the best possible medical treatment and instructed them to continuously monitor their health.

Ministers seek probe into accident

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also expressed grief over the incident. He spoke with district officials and directed them to ensure proper medical care for the injured.

State Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha spoke to the Palnadu Additional Superintendent of Police and sought details about the accident, the deceased and injured persons, as well as relief operations.

Anitha directed police to investigate all aspects of the crash, including the speed of the bus and any possible negligence by its driver. She also called for strict enforcement of road-safety regulations for private vehicles to prevent similar accidents.

(With inputs from IANS)