16 killed, 51 injured in tragic bus mishap in Anantapur

Hyderabad, Jan 7 (INN): As many as 16 persons, mostly students, were killed and 40 others were injured when a crowded bus slid down the road between Penukonda and Madakasira in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh on Wednesday morning.

The ‘Palle Velugu’ bus (AP 28 Z 1053), belonging to the state-owned Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation, met with the accident while proceeding from Madakasira to Penukonda. Preliminary enquiries by the police revealed that the bus driver reportedly lost control while trying to avoid hitting an auto-rickshaw coming from opposite direction and plunged into a 60-feet gorge. Poor visibility due to fog is also suspected to have led to the tragic road accident.

The impact of the bus fall from 60 feet height was so intense that the body of the bus was badly mangled and as many as 15 persons died on the spot. Many of victims were intermediate students who were going to their college to write half-yearly examinations. The deceased also include two women and a police constable. The bus driver succumbed to the injuries while undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Hundreds of people from nearby villagers rushed to the spot to help the victims. The injured were immediately rushed to hospitals in Hindupur, Anantapur and Bangalore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has expressed shock and grief over the accident. The Chief Minister announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of the dead and Rs 2 lakh each for the grievously injured.

Deputy Chief Minister N Chinna Rajappa announced a probe into the incident.