10 Dead, Several Injured as Bus Plunges Into Gorge on Chinturu–Maredumilli Ghat Road in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh: At least 10 people were killed and several others injured when a private bus fell into a deep gorge on the Chinturu–Maredumilli ghat road in the Alluri Sitarama Raju district late Thursday night.

Authorities cautioned that the death toll may rise as rescue operations continued in the challenging terrain.

Accident on a Dangerous Stretch

According to police, the accident occurred near the 9th milestone close to Tulasipaka, a section notorious for its sharp bends. The bus reportedly hit a safety wall on the ghat road and veered off the edge, causing passengers to be thrown inside the vehicle and down the slope.

Poor mobile network connectivity in the hilly region delayed initial alerts to emergency services. Once informed, officials from Mothugunta rushed to the site and launched rescue operations. The injured were shifted to the government hospital in Chintoor, while rescue teams worked to retrieve bodies from the wreckage.

Officials said some passengers were critically injured, and a few were still trapped when operations began, raising concerns that the toll could increase.

Pilgrimage Trip Turns Tragic

The bus, operated by a private travel company, was carrying 37 passengers, including two drivers, from Chittoor district. The group was on a pilgrimage tour and was travelling to Annavaram after visiting Bhadrachalam. The crash happened shortly after midnight as the bus navigated the winding ghat stretch.

Government Response

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep shock over the incident. He directed district officials to reach the accident site immediately and extend all possible assistance to the injured and to the families of those who lost their lives.

Rescue teams continue to work through the difficult terrain as authorities investigate the cause of the accident.