24 killed as bus collides with truck near Hyderabad’s Chevella

As many as 24 people were killed in an accident near Hyderabad on Monday morning (November 3). Eight people died in the hospital, while sixteen died on the spot, taking the total death toll to 24. So far, nineteen victims have been identified.

The accident took place when an RTC bus collided with a speeding tipper truck loaded with gravel near the Mirzaguda village in Chevella in Ranga Reddy district, on the Hyderabad-Bijapur National Highway. The bus was heading to Hyderabad from Tandur and was travelling at 70km per hour when it collided with the truck head-on.

Many passengers lost their lives, while several others sustained severe injuries. The gravel from the tipper fell onto the bus, trapping passengers underneath.

A control room has been set up at the Secretariat for relatives of the passengers. Contact numbers: 9912919545, 9440854433.

Gravel fell on the bus

The total number of passengers travelling in the bus could not be ascertained immediately, police said. The injured persons were in trauma, and they could not provide information on the number of passengers in the bus.

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With the gravel falling from the truck on the bus, several passengers got stuck inside the vehicle, and officials carried out rescue measures using earthmovers. The passengers of the bus were brought out of it, he added. However, according to media reports, the bus had 70 passengers onboard at the time of the accident. The injured have been rushed to the Chevella Government Hospital.

The accident occurred around 5 am in the morning, when most passengers were asleep and unaware of what was happening. Those seated behind the driver’s cabin were among the worst affected.

Survivor's account

Most passengers seated behind the bus driver were killed, while those seated behind the conductor survived the tragic accident in Telangana that claimed 24 lives, one of the survivors recounted.

Recalling the horrifying incident, the survivor said he had been dozing off when a loud crash jolted him awake, leaving him half-buried in gravel.

“Several people were trapped under the gravel. The tipper lorry came from the opposite direction. I was seated on the left side of the bus. We managed to climb out, but those seated behind the driver couldn’t make it — some of them died. I was seated three rows behind the conductor,” he told reporters.

He added that he managed to open a window and escape, with six others following. Later, another passenger broke the window panes to rescue more passengers.

Minister denies delay in road expansion

Telangana IT and Industries Minister Sridhar Babu denied any negligence on the part of the State government regarding the road expansion works in the area.

“It is unfair to comment without understanding the facts,” he said. He explained that certain individuals had filed petitions with the National Green Tribunal (NGT), which had stalled the road expansion works for several months. “Even though they are aware of this, they are now deliberately blaming the government,” he added.

“It has unfortunately become a habit for the opposition to politicise every issue. Even in the face of such a tragic accident, attempting to turn it into a political controversy is neither appropriate nor ethical. I leave it to the wisdom of the people to judge,” Mr Sridhar Babu said, without naming anyone.

The NGT had recently delivered a favourable decision. “We have now resumed the road expansion works, and we are committed to completing them within 18 months to make the road accessible to the public,” he said.

CM Reddy rushed to the spot

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident, according to media reports. He has reached the accident site.

"Chief Minister Sri A. Revanth Reddy has expressed grief over the road accident that occurred in Chevella Mandal of Ranga Reddy District. He immediately reached the accident site and directed the officials to undertake necessary relief measures. He said that complete details related to the accident should be informed from time to time," stated the Telangana CMO in a post on X.

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The Chief Minister has directed the Chief Secretary and DGP to ensure that the injured are immediately taken to Hyderabad for better treatment. "The Chief Minister has directed the Chief Secretary and DGP to make arrangements to immediately transport the injured from the bus accident to Hyderabad and provide them with better medical treatment," stated the CMO.

"The Chief Minister said that the ministers available should reach the accident site immediately and monitor the situation. The CM directed the District Collector to intensify relief measures and take all necessary actions for that," it added. A case has been registered, and further investigation is going on.

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PM Modi announces ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh

Later in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs. 50,000 for the injured in the road accident in Rangareddy district of Telangana.

"The loss of lives due to a mishap in the Rangareddy district of Telangana is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM @narendramodi," the PMO posted on X.

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan also condoled the loss of lives in a road accident in Telangana and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.

"The loss of lives in the tragic road accident in Ranga Reddy district of Telangana is deeply distressing.My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time," the vice president posted on X.

KTR urges govt action

Reacting to the incident, BRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao expressed grief and urged the state government to provide all possible help to the injured and the families of the passengers who lost their lives in the accident.

BRS working president KT Rama Rao expressed condolences and urged the government to provide proper treatment to the injured. “It is extremely heartbreaking that more than 17 passengers lost their lives in a road accident that occurred at Khanapur Stage in Chevella Mandal, Ranga Reddy District,” he said in a post on X.

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“My deepest condolences to the families of the deceased. I express profound shock at the severe injuries sustained by several people. The government should respond immediately and promptly support the families of the deceased and the injured. Better medical assistance should be provided to the injured. A comprehensive investigation should be conducted into the causes of this tragic accident,” added KTR.

(With agency inputs)