Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound grief following a tragic bus accident in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitharama Raju district, claiming the lives of at least eight pilgrims.
In a statement shared via the Prime Minister’s Office on X, he conveyed sympathies to the bereaved families and extended wishes for the speedy recovery of the injured.
PM Modi approved ex gratia payments from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF), offering Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to those injured in the accident.
The Prime Minister assured the families that the government would provide all necessary support during this difficult period.
The mishap occurred early Friday on the Chintur-Naredumilli ghat road, a stretch notorious for its sharp curves and challenging terrain.
Preliminary reports indicate that a private bus carrying 37 passengers, including two drivers, failed to negotiate a sharp bend and struck a safety wall. The vehicle then tumbled into a deep gorge.
Pilgrims on a Religious Journey
All passengers were pilgrims from the Chittoor district travelling to the Annavaram temple in Kakinada district after visiting the Bhadrachalam temple in Telangana. The remote accident site, with limited mobile network coverage, delayed rescue notifications to local authorities.
Police teams responded swiftly, launching an extensive rescue operation. Rescuers recovered eight bodies and rushed the injured to Chintur hospital.
The operation involved five police vehicles and three ambulances to ensure timely evacuation and medical aid.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock and sought regular updates from officials. He instructed that the injured receive the best possible care and that families of the deceased be provided with immediate assistance.
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