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New Delhi, Nov 3 (IANS) President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed deep grief over the loss of lives in a tragic bus accident in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy district. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) also announced that the next of kin of each deceased will be provided an ex-gratia amount of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
President Murmu told X, “The loss of several lives in a bus accident in Ranga Reddy district of Telangana is extremely unfortunate. I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured passengers.”
“The loss of life and property due to an accident in Rangareddy district of Telangana is extremely saddening. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families in this difficult time. Pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh will be given to the kin of each deceased from PMNRF. Rs 50,000 will be given to the injured,” the PMO’s post on Twitter said.
The accident occurred around 6.30 am on Monday on the Hyderabad-Bijapur highway near Mirzaguda in Chevella mandal, about 60 km from Hyderabad.
The bus going from Tandur to Hyderabad was hit by a tipper truck laden with concrete coming from the opposite direction.
According to eyewitnesses, passengers sitting in the first six rows were crushed and buried under gravel when the tipper lorry rammed into the bus. The entire load of gravel fell on the bus, further increasing the severity of the accident.
18 passengers of the bus, including 10 women, died in the collision. The dead included drivers of both bus and truck. A 10-month-old child and his mother were also among the dead.
There were around 70 passengers in the bus, which belonged to the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC).
Several passengers were injured, and were admitted to the government hospital at Chevella, where the condition of three of them was said to be critical.
Heartbreaking scenes were seen as many injured people trapped under the debris were screaming for help.
Police and other rescue workers had to put in a lot of effort to pull out the injured. Three JCBs were pressed into service to remove the bodies and cut the bus to rescue the injured.
One of the survivors said that the bus left Tandu at 5 am and was filled to full capacity by the time it reached Vikarabad. Many passengers were standing.
Survivors said a speeding tipper truck coming from the opposite direction collided with the bus. The driver and passengers sitting six rows behind him were crushed to death.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has expressed grief over the road accident. He directed the officials to immediately reach the accident site and take relief measures.
The CM also asked the officials to keep him apprised of the situation and provide updates on the details of the accident from time to time.
He directed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to ensure that all those injured in the bus accident are immediately shifted to Hyderabad and provided the best possible medical treatment.
He also directed the ministers available nearby to reach the accident site without any delay. The Chief Minister directed the District Collector to expedite rescue and relief operations and take all necessary measures to ensure effective assistance.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar ordered officials to initiate relief measures and provide best possible medical care to the injured.
–IANS
JK/SKP