Telangana: Over 40 people are feared dead and several injured after a state-owned Road Transport Corporation bus carrying pilgrims from a temple in the hills of Telangana’s Jagtiyal district plunged off a road this morning, officials said.
The bus with at least 60 people on board was returning from the popular Anjaneya Swamy temple in Kondagattu to Jagtial when the accident occurred near Shanivarapet village.Police suspect failure of brakes on the crowded road leading to the temple led to the accident. The driver reportedly lost control as he tried to avoid another bus on the route.
More than 40 bodies have been recovered so far and the injured are being shifted to Jagitial government hospital, police said. The dead include 25 women and seven children. The toll could go up as the condition of some of the injured was stated to be critical.
While locals were quick to step in for rescue and relief, Jagitial collector Sharath and other top officials also rushed to the accident spot along with the rescue teams.
Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao expressed shock over the accident and conveyed his condolences. He directed officials to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.
He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of those killed.
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