Visakhapatnam bus crash kills 3, injures 7 at Gajuwaka lorry collision
Synopsis
Three people — including two women passengers and the driver — died on the spot when an APSRTC Super Luxury bus ploughed into a parked lorry at Gajuwaka near Visakhapatnam at 4 am Sunday. The crash, which left the bus badly mangled, was followed hours later by a second APSRTC head-on collision in Annamayya district — two crashes in one day that put Andhra Pradesh's road safety record squarely in the spotlight.
Key Takeaways
Three persons — two women and the bus driver — were killed on the spot at Gajuwaka , Visakhapatnam , early Sunday morning .
The APSRTC Super Luxury bus was carrying 30 passengers on the Rajahmundry–Ramabhadrapuram route when it struck a stationary lorry around 4 am .
Seven injured were admitted to King George Hospital , Visakhapatnam.
Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy announced ₹5 lakh ex gratia for families of each deceased and ordered a comprehensive inquiry.
A separate head-on collision between two RTC buses in Annamayya district on the same day injured four persons , including driver Tirumalayya .
Three persons were killed and seven others injured early Sunday morning when an Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) bus rammed into a stationary lorry at Gajuwaka, near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The collision, which occurred around 4 am near Srinagar locality, left the Super Luxury APSRTC bus badly mangled and sent shock waves through the state's transport administration.
How the Accident Unfolded
The APSRTC bus was travelling from Rajahmundry to Ramabhadrapuram in Vizianagaram district with 30 passengers on board when it struck the lorry parked on the road. Two women passengers and the bus driver died on the spot. The remaining seven injured were rushed to King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam after passersby alerted Gajuwaka police, who arrived promptly and coordinated the evacuation.
Government Response and Ex Gratia Relief
State Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy expressed shock over the incident and personally visited KGH Hospital to console the families of the deceased and check on the injured. He announced an ex gratia payment of ₹5 lakh to the families of each of the three victims. The minister directed doctors to ensure the highest quality of medical care for those hospitalised and ordered officials to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the causes of the accident and submit a report.
He was accompanied by MLA and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) State President Palla Srinivas, District Collector Abhishek, and other officials. The minister assured affected families that both the government and APSRTC would stand by them during this difficult period.
Police Investigation Under Way
According to police, a case has been registered and further investigation is under way. The parked lorry's presence on the road at that hour is among the key angles being examined. The APSRTC Super Luxury bus sustained severe damage in the collision, indicating the force of the impact.
Second APSRTC Crash in Andhra Pradesh on the Same Day
In a separate incident on the same day, two RTC buses collided head-on in Annamayya district, injuring four persons. The accident took place near Aravidu in Galiveedu Mandal. The driver of one of the buses, identified as Tirumalayya, and three passengers sustained injuries and were shifted to a hospital in Galiveedu. The back-to-back crashes on a single day have raised fresh questions about road safety on Andhra Pradesh's state highway network.
Road Safety Context
This is not an isolated incident. Andhra Pradesh has recorded a significant number of fatal road accidents involving state-run buses in recent years, with pre-dawn hours — when driver fatigue and poor visibility are heightened — accounting for a disproportionate share. The state government's inquiry order reflects growing pressure to address systemic safety lapses within the APSRTC fleet and on highways where vehicles are routinely parked without adequate warning signals.
Point of View
Inadequate rest schedules, and the chronic problem of vehicles parked on highways without reflective markers or warning triangles. The government's ex gratia announcement and inquiry order are the standard response, but Andhra Pradesh has issued similar directives after previous crashes without producing measurable safety improvements. Until APSRTC enforces mandatory rest periods, installs fatigue-monitoring technology, and the highway authority acts against illegal roadside parking, the death toll will keep climbing.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Visakhapatnam APSRTC bus accident on 31 May?
An APSRTC Super Luxury bus travelling from Rajahmundry to Ramabhadrapuram rammed into a stationary lorry at Gajuwaka near Visakhapatnam at around 4 am on Sunday, 31 May. Three persons — two women passengers and the driver — were killed on the spot, and seven others were injured.
Where are the injured being treated?
The seven injured passengers were admitted to King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam. Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy visited the hospital and directed doctors to provide the highest quality of medical care.
What relief has the Andhra Pradesh government announced for victims?
Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy announced an ex gratia payment of ₹5 lakh to the families of each of the three deceased. He also assured families that both the state government and APSRTC would support them through this period.
Is there an investigation into the Gajuwaka bus crash?
Yes. Gajuwaka police have registered a case and launched an investigation. The transport minister has separately directed officials to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the causes of the accident and submit a report.
Were there any other APSRTC accidents on the same day?
Yes. In a separate incident in Annamayya district, two RTC buses collided head-on near Aravidu in Galiveedu Mandal, injuring four persons including bus driver Tirumalayya. The injured were shifted to a hospital in Galiveedu.
