At least 13 people were killed and about 20 others injured after a private travel bus collided with a tipper lorry and caught fire near Rayavaram, Markapuram in Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, on the morning of March 26, 2026. The collision, which police said happened at around 6:00 AM, engulfed the bus in flames and trapped several passengers inside. The bus was operated by Harikrishna Travels and was en route from Nirmal in Telangana to Nellore in Andhra Pradesh.
According to police and local officials, many victims were burned in the blaze. Initial reports had put the toll at eight, but the figure was later revised to 13, and authorities warned the number could rise as rescue teams continued recovery efforts. Markapuram Deputy Superintendent of Police Nagraju told a television channel, via PTI, that “nearly eight people were burnt alive, and about 18 injured persons have been rescued so far and shifted to hospital,”adding that efforts were underway to gather full details of the incident.
Around 20 injured passengers have been admitted to nearby hospitals and are receiving treatment. Emergency services and local police were engaged at the scene through the morning, and investigations into the cause of the collision and subsequent fire are ongoing.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the mishap as “tragic” and expressed condolences to the bereaved families. The Prime Minister’s Office announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the PMNRF to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for each injured person. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said he had reviewed the situation, ordered a thorough investigation and directed officials to ensure medical care for the wounded. State IT Minister Nara Lokesh also offered condolences and assured government support for victims’ families.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed deep shock and said his administration was coordinating with Andhra Pradesh to arrange treatment and relief; he wrote that he had directed Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao to ascertain details of the dead and injured and to coordinate relief measures on a war footing. Authorities said rescue and probe operations were continuing as more information emerged.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/13-killed-as-bus-lorry-collision-sparks-fire-in-andhra-pradesh-leaders-announce-aid-and-probe-13993359.html
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Publish Date: 2026-03-26 10:53:00
