At least 18 passengers were killed and 15 others suffered serious injuries when the RTC bus they were travelling in had a head-on collision with a speeding lorry at Thummalagudem in Ramannapet mandal of Nalgonda district on Wednesday.
The accident occurred when the RTC bus (AP29 Z2270), belonging to Narketpally Depot, was proceeding towards Nalgonda from Bhongir was hit by a speeding lorry coming from opposite direction. The impact was so intense that many passengers died on the spot and a few bodies got crushed under the seats. The police, with the help of local residents, immediately rushed the injured persons to Kamineni Hospital at Narketpally and Ramannapet Government Hospital.
Expressing shock over the incident, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao directed Ministers Nayani Narasimha Reddy, Mahender Reddy and Jagadish Reddy to rush to the spot and extend required help to the victims and their families. Speaking in the State Legislative Assembly, KCR expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims.
The Chief Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh to the families of those killed in the accident. This will be in addition to Rs. 1 lakh ex-gratia to be paid by the RTC. KCR also directed the officials to provide free and best treatment to all the victims. He also asked them to take steps to prevent accidents on Hyderabad-Vijayawada Highway. (INN)