In a tragic road accident early Monday morning, at least 19 people were killed and four others sustained injuries when a gravel-laden tipper lorry collided head-on with a Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) bus near Chevella in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy district, police said.
The deadly incident occurred around 6 AM as the bus was en route from Tandur to Hyderabad. According to officials, the impact of the collision caused the gravel to fall over the bus, trapping several passengers inside the mangled vehicle. Among the deceased were 10 women and the bus driver.
“The total number of passengers in the bus could not be ascertained immediately,” a senior police officer noted. The injured survivors remained in a state of shock and struggled to provide details of the accident, intensifying the confusion surrounding the tragedy.
Rescue teams swiftly arrived at the scene, using earthmovers for relief operations, effectively pulling out trapped passengers from the wreckage. Emergency services transported the injured to nearby hospitals for immediate medical treatment.
Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy directed Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao and DGP Shivadhar Reddy to oversee relief and rescue operations on a war footing. This reflects the state government’s urgent response to the disaster. The Chief Minister further instructed cabinet ministers to reach the accident site to ensure immediate assistance for the victims and bereaved families.
“We will ensure that all possible support is provided to the affected families,” assured Chief Minister Reddy. His emphasis on rapid response highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing such crises in a timely manner.
As Telangana reels from this accident, officials urge motorists to exercise caution on the roads, especially during early morning hours when visibility may be compromised.