Andhra Pradesh pilgrimage tragedy: 9 dead as bus plunges into gorge
Andhra Pradesh pilgrimage tragedy: 9 dead as bus plunges into gorge
A private pilgrimage bus veered off a hilly road in Alluri Sitarama Raju district, plunging into a gorge and killing nine while injuring several; rescue efforts hampered by poor mobile coverage.
A private travel bus carrying pilgrims went off the road and fell into a gorge on the Chinturu–Maredumilli ghat road in Alluri Sitarama Raju district, late Thursday night. The group of 37 people from Chittoor district was traveling to Annavaram after visiting Bhadrachalam when the accident occurred after midnight, near the Tulasipaka milestone. Nine people are confirmed dead so far, with several others injured. Officials say the driver may have failed to negotiate a sharp curve and hit the safety wall, causing the vehicle to plunge down the slope. The hilly terrain slowed communication, and information reached authorities only after some delay because mobile network coverage is sparse in the area. The injured were rushed to Chintoor government hospital, with many in critical condition later shifted to hospitals in the Bhadrachalam area.
With the death toll likely to rise, Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha and Tribal Welfare Minister G Sandhya Rani rushed to the spot to oversee rescue and relief efforts. The Chief Minister directed officials to coordinate all necessary assistance for the victims and families. The incident has raised concerns about road safety on the ghat route used by pilgrims, where sharp curves and limited connectivity complicate emergency responses.
Rescue operations continued as authorities worked to locate any others who might be trapped or missing. The road remains the focus of ongoing relief work, with medical teams deployed to stabilize survivors and ensure swift transport to higher-level facilities. Investigations are expected to determine the exact cause and to improve safety measures on this route for future pilgrim travel.
This tragedy underscores the risk of travel on challenging hilly corridors during pilgrimage season, and authorities have appealed for calm while relief and investigation proceed.
Cover image source: Nine tourists killed as travel bus rams into gorge in Papikonda National Park 🔗
