3 Andhra pilgrims killed in bus-truck crash on NH-19 in Bihar's Aurangabad
Synopsis
A tourist bus carrying 40 Andhra Pradesh pilgrims returning from Bodh Gaya to Varanasi was torn apart in a head-on collision with a truck on NH-19 in Bihar's Aurangabad late Sunday, killing three and leaving seven to eight in critical condition — a grim reminder of the dangers on India's pilgrim highway corridors at night.
Key Takeaways
Three pilgrims — Hazratayya (50) , Padmavati (43) , and Pashuleti Venkatesh (64) — from Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh , were killed.
The crash occurred late Sunday night on NH-19 near Bhawani Hotel in Aurangabad district, Bihar .
More than 20 passengers were injured; seven to eight are in critical condition and were referred to Magadh Medical College and Hospital, Gaya .
Around 40 pilgrims were travelling from Bodh Gaya to Varanasi when the accident occurred.
Police have seized both vehicles and launched an investigation; preliminary reports indicate the bus driver was attempting to overtake the truck.
Three pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh were killed and more than 20 others injured when a tourist bus carrying devotees rammed into a truck on the Grand Trunk Road (NH-19) in Bihar's Aurangabad district late on Sunday night. The crash, one of the deadliest road accidents on this stretch in recent months, occurred near Bhawani Hotel, between Bhediya and Dev Mor, under the jurisdiction of the Aurangabad Mufassil police station.
What Happened
Around 40 pilgrims were travelling from Bodh Gaya to Varanasi after offering prayers, according to police and local sources. Preliminary findings suggest the bus driver was attempting to overtake a truck when the collision occurred. The impact was severe enough to rip apart one entire side of the bus, trapping several passengers inside.
The Deceased and Injured
The three victims — Hazratayya, 50, Padmavati, 43, and Pashuleti Venkatesh, 64 — were all residents of Sangama village in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. Doctors at Aurangabad Sadar Hospital declared all three dead on arrival. Among the injured are Subhanamma, Narendra Reddy, and Prasad, with seven to eight passengers reported to be in critical condition. The seriously injured were subsequently referred to Magadh Medical College and Hospital in Gaya for advanced care.
Rescue and Response
Local residents and passersby rushed to the scene after hearing the crash and began rescue operations before police arrived. Personnel from the Aurangabad Mufassil police station, assisted by local volunteers and District Council member Anil Yadav, helped evacuate trapped passengers from the wreckage. The accident temporarily disrupted traffic on NH-19 before normal movement was restored after the wreckage was cleared.
What the Police Said
Ashok Kumar, Station House Officer of Aurangabad Mufassil Police Station, confirmed that both the bus and the truck have been seized and an investigation has been launched. Investigators are examining the speed of the bus, the driver's conduct, and whether the overtaking attempt directly caused the collision. 'The incident is tragic. The matter is being investigated. The families of the passengers have been informed. Further action is being taken,' Kumar said. The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem examination and legal proceedings are underway.
Broader Context
NH-19, the historic Grand Trunk Road corridor, has seen a pattern of fatal accidents involving pilgrimage buses, particularly on overnight stretches. This incident underscores persistent concerns about driver fatigue, night-time overtaking, and the absence of mandatory rest stops on long inter-state pilgrim routes. Authorities have yet to announce any specific safety measures in response to this crash.
Point of View
Overloaded and behind schedule, driven by fatigued drivers making high-risk overtaking manoeuvres on undivided national highways. NH-19 is among India's busiest freight corridors, where heavy trucks and long-distance buses share narrow lanes with minimal enforcement after dark. Three deaths and seven to eight critical injuries from a single overtaking attempt should prompt a hard question — not just about this driver, but about why mandatory rest-stop compliance and speed-limiter enforcement on pilgrim charter buses remain aspirational rather than operational. The families of Nellore have paid the price for a systemic failure that no single FIR will fix.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the bus-truck collision in Bihar's Aurangabad?
Preliminary police findings indicate the bus driver was attempting to overtake a truck on NH-19 when the collision occurred late Sunday night. Both vehicles have been seized and investigators are examining speed, driver conduct, and the overtaking manoeuvre as contributing factors.
Who were the pilgrims killed in the Aurangabad road accident?
The three deceased — Hazratayya (50), Padmavati (43), and Pashuleti Venkatesh (64) — were all residents of Sangama village in Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. They were declared dead on arrival at Aurangabad Sadar Hospital.
How many people were injured and how serious are the injuries?
More than 20 passengers sustained injuries in the crash. Seven to eight of them are reported to be in critical condition and were referred to Magadh Medical College and Hospital in Gaya for advanced medical care.
Where exactly did the accident take place?
The collision occurred near Bhawani Hotel, on the Grand Trunk Road (NH-19) between Bhediya and Dev Mor in Aurangabad district, Bihar, under the Aurangabad Mufassil police station jurisdiction.
What action has been taken after the accident?
Police have seized both the bus and the truck and launched a formal investigation. The bodies of the three deceased have been sent for post-mortem, families have been notified, and legal proceedings are underway, according to SHO Ashok Kumar.
