20 killed after gravel-laden lorry and bus collide in Telangana
What's the story
At least 20 people were killed and several others injured after a lorry carrying gravel slammed head-on into a state-run Road Transport Corporation (RTC) bus in Telangana's Ranga Reddy district on Monday morning. The bus, carrying 70 passengers, was traveling to Hyderabad from Tandur when the lorry coming from the opposite direction collided with it at Mirzaguda village in Chevella mandal (block). The RTC bus was carrying mostly students and office-goers returning after the weekend.
Accident impact
Eyewitnesses recount heart-wrenching scene
The collision was so severe that the lorry's gravel load fell on the bus, trapping several passengers. Eyewitnesses described a heart-wrenching scene with passengers crying for help as locals rushed to their aid. Among the deceased were both drivers of the RTC bus and lorry, several women, and a 10-month-old infant with its mother. Emergency teams used three JCB excavators for rescue operations at the site.
Medical response
Death toll expected to rise
The injured passengers were rushed to Chevella Government Hospital, with those in critical condition being referred to hospitals in Hyderabad. The death toll is expected to rise as some of the injured are still in a serious condition. Traffic on the Hyderabad-Bijapur highway was severely affected due to the accident, causing long queues of vehicles across the Chevella-Vikarabad route.
Ongoing investigation
CM Revanth Reddy directs officials to ensure immediate rescue measures
Authorities are investigating the cause of the collision, with preliminary reports suggesting overspeeding and loss of control by the lorry driver as possible reasons for the accident. Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directed officials to ensure immediate rescue and relief measures. He also instructed all government departments to be mobilized for assistance in this tragic incident.