14 killed as bus–truck crash triggers inferno in Andhra Pradesh

At least 14 people were burnt to death and 23 others injured after a private bus collided head-on with a gravel-laden tipper truck and burst into flames in Andhra Pradesh’s Markapuram area on March 26 morning.

The bus, carrying over 37 passengers, was travelling from Jagityal in Telangana to Kaligiri in Nellore district when the accident occurred. Preliminary information suggests the impact was severe enough to trigger an immediate fire, trapping several passengers inside. Many victims succumbed to burn injuries before they could be rescued.

Emergency response teams rushed to the spot soon after the incident. With assistance from local residents, rescuers pulled out passengers trapped inside the burning vehicle and shifted the injured to a nearby hospital, where they are undergoing treatment.

“We have shifted 23 injured people to the hospital. Efforts are on to gather complete details of the incident,” Markapuram Superintendent of Police V Harshavardhan Raju was quoted as saying by PTI news agency.

The driver of the tipper truck also sustained injuries and has been hospitalized.

Authorities have begun the process of identifying victims and contacting their families. The bodies will be handed over to relatives after due procedures are completed. The cause of the collision remains unclear and is under investigation.

Naidu expresses grief, orders probe

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock and grief over the tragedy, directing officials to ensure immediate and adequate medical care for the injured.

He has also ordered a comprehensive inquiry into the incident and sought a detailed report on the circumstances leading to the crash.