A horrific road accident in Markapuram district claimed 14 lives after a private travels bus rammed into a tipper truck near the Palakal quarries close to Rayavaram on Thursday morning. The collision triggered a massive fire, engulfing both vehicles and leaving several passengers trapped.
According to officials, 14 passengers in the bus were burnt alive, and their bodies have been recovered. At least 28 others sustained injuries, with three reported to be in critical condition. The injured were shifted to a private hospital in Markapur for treatment.
The bus, belonging to Harikrishna Travels, was travelling from Jagtial in Telangana to Kanigiri in Nellore district with 41 passengers on board at the time of the accident. Authorities said passengers seated in the rear of the bus were unable to escape, while those in the front managed to survive.
Police and fire personnel rushed to the spot and are continuing rescue operations. Both the bus and the tipper were completely gutted in the fire.
Preliminary reports suggest that many of the deceased hail from Kanigiri, Vinjamuru, and Udayagiri regions. Markapur Joint Collector Srinivasulu and MLA Kandula Narayana Reddy visited the accident site and reviewed the situation. Officials fear the death toll may rise further as rescue efforts continue.
