At least 14 people were killed and 15 others injured after a private travel bus caught fire following a collision with a tipper truck in Andhra Pradesh’s Markapuram district on Thursday morning, according to police.
The accident took place near Rayavaram at around 6:30 a.m., when the bus, operated by Harikrishna Travels, collided with a tipper truck near a stone quarry. The impact triggered a fire that rapidly engulfed both vehicles, leaving them completely gutted.
Officials said there were 35 passengers on board the bus at the time of the incident. While 10 passengers managed to escape immediately after the fire broke out, several others were trapped inside as flames spread through the vehicle. The deceased and injured include women and children.
The injured were shifted to a government hospital in Markapuram for treatment. Authorities indicated that the condition of some of the injured remains critical, raising concerns that the death toll could increase.
Preliminary information suggests that the bus was travelling from Hyderabad to Pamuru in Prakasam district, while the tipper truck was moving from Chimakurthy towards Markapuram carrying a load of concrete. The collision occurred along this route, leading to the subsequent fire.
Police and fire services personnel reached the site shortly after receiving information about the accident and initiated rescue and relief operations. Three fire engines were deployed to control the blaze and prevent further damage. Emergency responders worked to evacuate survivors and recover bodies from the charred remains of the vehicles.
Local authorities, including Markapuram MLA K. Narayana Reddy, visited the accident site and monitored the ongoing relief measures. Senior officials coordinated efforts to ensure immediate medical assistance and manage the situation on the ground.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu spoke to officials following the incident and sought details about the accident. He directed district authorities to provide necessary medical care to the injured and ordered a detailed investigation into the circumstances leading to the collision.
Transport Minister Manipalli Ramprasad Reddy expressed grief over the loss of lives and instructed officials to prioritise treatment for those injured. Minister for Human Resources Development and Information Technology Nara Lokesh also reacted to the incident, expressing shock and assuring support to affected families.
Authorities have initiated further inquiry into the cause of the accident, while rescue and medical response efforts continue.
