Telangana bus-truck collision claims 20 lives; rescue efforts underway
text_fields
Hyderabad: At least 20 people were killed and several others injured in a devastating collision between a Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) bus and a concrete-laden tipper truck in Rangareddy district early Monday morning.
The accident occurred around 6.30 a.m. on the Hyderabad-Bijapur highway near Mirzaguda in Chevella mandal, approximately 60 km from Hyderabad. The bus, travelling from Tandur to Hyderabad with around 70 passengers onboard, was struck head-on by the speeding truck coming from the opposite direction.
Eyewitnesses reported that the impact was severe, with the truck piercing through the front of the bus and its gravel load spilling inside, crushing passengers seated in the first six rows. Among the deceased were 10 women, a 10-month-old baby and her mother, as well as both drivers of the bus and the truck.
Several passengers sustained injuries and were rushed to the government hospital in Chevella. Three are reported to be in critical condition. Rescue teams faced harrowing scenes as trapped survivors cried for help. Three JCBs were deployed to cut through the mangled bus and retrieve bodies and injured passengers.
A survivor recounted that the bus had started from Tandur at 5 a.m. and was full by the time it reached Vikarabad, with many passengers standing. He said the tipper truck was speeding when it rammed into the bus, instantly killing the driver and those seated behind him.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and directed officials to expedite rescue operations and ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care in Hyderabad. He instructed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to monitor the situation closely and keep him updated. Ministers in the vicinity were asked to reach the site immediately, while the District Collector was tasked with intensifying relief efforts.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar also ordered swift action and medical support for the injured.
This marks the second major road accident in the Telugu states within 10 days. On October 24, 20 people were killed when a private bus caught fire after hitting a motorbike near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh.
(Inputs from IANS)