Andhra Pradesh bus accident: PM Modi condoles loss of lives, announces Rs 2 lakh aid

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled the loss of lives in the Andhra Pradesh bus accident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs for the grieving families.

At least 14 people were burnt alive, and 15 others were injured as a private travel bus caught fire after colliding with a tipper truck in Andhra Pradesh's Markapuram district earlier in the day.

In a post on X, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said, "The mishap in Markapuram district, Andhra Pradesh, is tragic. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest."

"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," the statement further read.

The accident occurred near Rayavaram around 6.30 a.m. when the bus collided with a tipper truck near a stone quarry. Both vehicles were completely gutted in the fire.

There were 35 passengers in the bus belonging to Harikrishna Travels at the time of the collision. Fifteen passengers were injured. They were shifted to the government hospital at Markapuram.