Andhra Pradesh horror: At least 9 dead as packed bus plunges into valley in Alluri Sitarama Raju district; President Murmu shares condolences

In India's Andhra Pradesh, a tragic bus accident has claimed at least 9 lives. The accident happened in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitarama Raju district when a private bus, carrying a full load of passengers from Chittoor district, veered off a ghat road and plunged into a valley. The vehicle was travelling from Chittoor toward Maredumilli and had reportedly been returning from Bhadrachalam after a temple visit, with Annavaram as its next destination. Witnesses said they heard passengers screaming for help as the bus tumbled down the slope.

Police and local residents rushed to the scene moments after the crash and began rescue efforts. Further details on the number of survivors and the cause of the accident awaited. The injured have been shifted to Bhadrachalam Hospital for treatment, said ASR District Collector Dinesh Kumar.

The government will stand by the families of victims

In a statement on X, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed his grief over the bus accident and vowed that his government "will stand by the families of those who lost their lives in the accident.”

He said, “The accident involving a private bus carrying passengers near Chittoor district in Alluri Sitarama Raju has deeply shaken us. It is heartbreaking that several lives were lost in this accident."

Naidu added that he had spoken with the officials regarding the accident and gathered "details about the assistance being provided to the affected individuals. I have instructed the officials to take all necessary measures to ensure that the injured receive better medical aid. The government will stand by the families of those who lost their lives in the accident.”

President Droupadi Murmu has shared her condolences. "Pained to know about the loss of lives in a tragic bus accident in Alluri Sitharama Raju District of Andhra Pradesh. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for quick recovery of those injured," she said.

Private bus

According to reports, the bus belongs to a private company called Sree Vigneshwara Travels. The bus owner is A.K. Ramamurthy, and the travel agent is Vajramurthy. The pilgrims were travelling from Chittoor to Kotappakonda, Amaravati, Mangalagiri, Vijayawada, Dwaraka Tirumala, Palakollu, Bhimavaram, Penugonda, Antarvedi, Draksharamam, Samarlakota, Simhachalam, Arasavilli, Srikurmam and then onward to Bhadrachalam. Twelve of the passengers were from Bengaluru, and the remaining were from Chittoor.