Markapuram: At least 10 people have been burnt alive and many were injured in a horrific accident when a private travels bus and a tipper truck collided near Markapuram district near Rayavaram on Thursday morning, Tv9 Telugu reported.
The accident occurred between 6 am and 6.30 am when the bus traveling from Nirmal district in Telangana to AP’s Nellore, took a turn near a quarry stretch. A tipper truck rammed into the bus triggering a massive fire in both vehicles.
The fire spread rapidly and the passengers at the back of the bus were burnt alive while passengers in the front of the bus managed to escape quickly.
Death toll to rise, officials say:
The bus was carrying 20 passengers during the time of the accident and the injured were shifted to hospitals in Markapuram for treatment. The death toll could rise as some of the injured are in critical condition, officials said.
Preliminary reports suggest that the accident may have occurred due to overspeeding by the tipper truck. Fire and police personnel reached the spot to carry out rescue operations.
CM Chandrababu Naidu orders probe:
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the accident and concern over information that the death toll is likely to rise.