Visakhapatnam, Dec 12 (NationPress) Tragically, nine pilgrims lost their lives and 23 more sustained injuries when a private travel bus plunged into a gorge in the Alluri Sitharamaraju district during the early hours of Friday. The unfortunate incident transpired on the Chintur-Naredumilli ghat road, where the driver mistakenly failed to navigate a sharp turn, colliding with a safety wall before the bus fell.

The vehicle, which was transporting 37 individuals—including two drivers—was en route to Bhadrachalam. All passengers, hailing from the Chittoor district, were on a pilgrimage to the renowned Bhadrachalam temple in Telangana after visiting Araku.

The group was part of a pilgrimage tour covering various temples in north Andhra and nearby Telangana.

Due to the absence of mobile network coverage in the accident area, it took time for authorities to be notified. Police promptly arrived at the scene to initiate rescue efforts, recovering nine bodies from the site. The injured were transported to a hospital in Chintur, with five in critical condition later moved to a facility in Bhadrachalam.

To assist in the rescue, five police vehicles and three ambulances were dispatched. Authorities suspect that poor visibility caused by dense fog may have contributed to the tragic event, along with the driver’s unfamiliarity with the local roads.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his dismay over the accident and has been in contact with officials regarding the ongoing rescue and relief efforts, ensuring top-notch treatment for the injured.

In light of the incident, Home Minister V. Anitha and Tribal Welfare and Women and Child Welfare Minister G. Sandhya Rani traveled to the site. They consulted with local authorities to guarantee that victims receive adequate assistance.

Highlighting concerns about the rising number of road accidents, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu previously mandated an audit of road incidents to identify their causes. At a recent Road Safety Council meeting, he noted the alarming statistic of 6,433 fatalities resulting from 15,462 road accidents in the state within the current year.

Officials reported that 79% of accidents were attributed to over-speeding, 3% to wrong-side driving, and 1% due to distractions from alcohol and mobile phones. Andhra Pradesh ranks eighth nationally for road accidents.