A severe road accident took place early Thursday morning near Adda Road in Chilakaluripet, located in Andhra Pradesh's Palnadu district. A private passenger bus traveling from Vijayawada to Tirupati rammed into a crowded auto-rickshaw carrying approximately 15 commuters. The high-impact head-on crash led to the deaths of seven passengers, including six women. Additionally, eight other commuters suffered injuries, among whom four are young children. Emergency responders arrived at the scene shortly after the crash to move the injured to nearby medical facilities for urgent treatment.
Tragedy Strikes Return Journey From Birthday Celebration
According to police officials, all commuters traveling inside the auto-rickshaw were residents of Veluru village, situated within Chilakaluripet mandal. The group was returning home after celebrating a relative's birthday in Kondamanjuluru village, located in the neighboring Prakasam district. The early morning collision killed four victims instantly on the highway. Three other severely injured individuals succumbed to their wounds during emergency hospital care. Two victims passed away while receiving treatment at Guntur Government General Hospital, and one victim died at Chilakaluripet Government Hospital.
Identities of Deceased and Hospitalization Status
Authorities have verified the identities of all seven victims who lost their lives in the collision. The deceased have been identified as Bontu Babu (aged 62), Bontu Manemma (aged 55), Sampurnamma (aged 70), Gangamma (aged 50), Lakshmamma (aged 75), Chautupalli Swarthamma (aged 45), and Mariyamma (aged 45). The eight surviving passengers, including the four injured children, are undergoing treatment at Guntur Government General Hospital and Chilakaluripet Government Hospital, where medical staff are constantly monitoring their health status.
State Leadership Condoles Losses and Directs Medical Care
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed profound grief over the loss of lives in Palnadu. He extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and ordered government administration and healthcare teams to provide prompt, high-quality medical treatment to all injured victims. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also voiced deep sorrow over the accident, interacting with district officials to review medical rescue operations and ensure all required hospital resources are made available without delay.
Home Minister Mandates Comprehensive Investigation into Speeding
Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha reviewed the crash scenario directly with the Palnadu Additional SP to assess relief work and casualty details. Describing the demise of seven commuters as tragic, she directed law enforcement officers to closely oversee the medical care of all hospitalized victims. Minister Anitha mandated a thorough police inquiry covering the circumstances of the crash, the operating speed of the private bus, and potential driver negligence. She stressed that strict road safety measures must be strictly enforced on private commercial operators to prevent recurring highway fatalities.
