A devastating bus accident in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district has left 13 people dead and several others injured in a heart-wrenching tragedy that unfolded on Tuesday. The private passenger bus, traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru, met with a catastrophic fate when it plunged into the Handri Neeva Sujala Sravanti (HNSS) canal near Pamulapadu village.
The Tragic Incident
According to police reports, the accident occurred during the early hours when the bus driver apparently lost control of the vehicle. Witnesses described the horrifying moment when the bus veered off the road and crashed through the canal barriers before submerging in the water.
Massive Rescue Operation
Local authorities immediately launched a massive rescue operation involving:
- Multiple police teams from Kurnool district
- Fire and emergency services personnel
- Local fishermen and villagers
- Ambulances and medical teams
The rescue efforts continued for several hours as emergency workers struggled to retrieve victims from the submerged vehicle. Divers worked tirelessly to recover bodies while medical teams provided immediate assistance to the injured.
Victims and Survivors
Preliminary investigations indicate that the bus was carrying approximately 40 passengers at the time of the accident. While 13 passengers tragically lost their lives, many others were rescued and rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment. The condition of several injured passengers remains critical.
Official Response
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy expressed deep sorrow over the incident and announced ex-gratia payments of ₹10 lakh each to the families of the deceased. The Chief Minister has directed officials to provide the best possible medical care to the injured survivors.
Ongoing Investigation
Police have registered a case and launched a thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to this tragic accident. Authorities are examining whether driver fatigue, mechanical failure, or road conditions contributed to the disaster.
This tragic incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for improved road safety measures and better infrastructure on hazardous stretches of Indian highways.
