Tragic Andhra Pradesh Crash Claims Eight Lives, Injures Thirteen Pilgrims
A devastating head-on collision between a mini pick-up vehicle and a fly-ash truck in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, early Thursday morning resulted in the deaths of eight individuals and left thirteen others injured. The incident occurred on National Highway-167 near Chilakaladona village in Mantralayam mandal, close to the Andhra Pradesh-Karnataka border.
Victims Were Pilgrims En Route to Temple
The victims were part of a group of twenty-one pilgrims hailing from Chikmagalur in Karnataka. They were traveling to the Raghavendra Swamy temple at Mantralayam, a revered pilgrim town situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra river in Kurnool district. Police authorities suspect that the driver of the mini pick-up may have dozed off, leading to the catastrophic accident.
Severe Impact and Immediate Aftermath
The collision was of such intensity that the front portion of the pick-up vehicle was completely mangled. The fly-ash truck, which was en route to Tumkur, sustained damage, but its driver survived the crash. All eight fatalities occurred on the spot, as confirmed by Yemmiganur DSP N Bhargavi. The deceased included five women, a three-year-old girl, and two men.
The injured victims were promptly shifted to government hospitals in Yemmiganur and Kurnool by police personnel. The deceased have been identified as Kumar (60), Deepika Veena (35), Sunil (40), Puttamma (60), Meenakshi (50), Thayamma (60), Lolakshi (45), and Belli (3).
National and State Leaders Express Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep sorrow over the tragic incident. In a statement, he said, "I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured." He announced financial assistance from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF), with an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh to be provided to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to each injured person.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The bodies were handed over to relatives after the completion of postmortem procedures.
Legal Proceedings Initiated
Kurnool police have registered a case in connection with the accident, and investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause. This tragic event underscores the critical importance of road safety, particularly for long-distance travelers and pilgrims.
