Tragic Bus Fire in Andhra Pradesh Claims 14 Lives: What Happened?
Devastating Accident in Markapuram
Amaravati: A tragic incident unfolded in Andhra Pradesh's Markapuram district on Thursday, where a private bus caught fire following a collision with a tipper truck, resulting in the deaths of at least 14 individuals and injuries to 15 others, according to police reports.
The collision occurred around 6:30 a.m. near Rayavaram, close to a stone quarry, leading to both vehicles being engulfed in flames.
At the time of the accident, the Harikrishna Travels bus was carrying 35 passengers. Among them, 15 sustained injuries and were promptly transported to the government hospital in Markapuram.
The number of fatalities may rise as several injured individuals are reported to be in critical condition.
The victims included women and children, while ten passengers managed to escape the bus shortly after the fire ignited.
The bus was en route from Hyderabad to Pamuru in Prakasam district, with the victims hailing from Kanigiri and Pamuru. The tipper truck was transporting concrete from Chimakurthy to Markapuram.
Emergency services, including police and firefighting teams, quickly arrived at the scene to conduct rescue operations. Three fire engines were deployed to extinguish the blaze.
Markapuram MLA K. Narayana Reddy, along with senior officials, visited the site to oversee the relief efforts.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his shock regarding the incident, reaching out to officials for details and instructing district authorities to provide the best care for the injured.
He also called for a comprehensive investigation into the accident and requested a detailed report.
Transport Minister Manipalli Ramprasad Reddy conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and emphasized the need for quality medical care for the injured.
Nara Lokesh, the Minister for Human Resources Development and Information Technology, also expressed his sorrow over the loss of life and assured the victims' families of the government's support.