At least seven people were killed in three separate road accidents across north coastal Andhra Pradesh on Sunday, 13 September, according to police. The fatalities were spread across Vizianagaram, Anakapalli, and Visakhapatnam districts, underscoring the state's persistent road safety crisis.

Vizianagaram: Truck rams auto-rickshaw, three dead

Three occupants of an auto-rickshaw died on the spot after a speeding truck collided with their vehicle near Shikaruganti village in Dattirajeru mandal, Vizianagaram district, in the early hours of Sunday. The deceased were identified as auto-rickshaw driver G. Tirupati, a resident of Gajarayunivalasa village in Badangi mandal; farmer T. Adinarayana; and fish trader G. Ramu, who had boarded the vehicle at Peddamanapuram.

According to police, the trio were travelling from Gajapatinagaram when the truck struck their vehicle at Shikaruganti crossroads. The truck is suspected to have been moving at high speed at the time of impact. Officers reached the scene promptly and sent the bodies to a nearby government hospital for post-mortem examination. A case has been registered and an investigation is under way.

Anakapalli: Tractor overturns, two killed

Two persons lost their lives after a tractor overturned at Makavaram in Anakapalli district. The vehicle was reportedly en route to a quarry drilling site when the accident occurred. Further details about the victims are awaited from police.

Visakhapatnam: Lorry hits motorbike, two youths killed

Two young men riding a motorbike were killed when a lorry struck them near the Kurmannapalem bus depot on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam. Both victims died on the spot. Police have taken up the case for investigation.

Andhra Pradesh's road safety crisis in numbers

Sunday's deaths are far from an isolated event. Andhra Pradesh recorded 9,194 road accidents between January and June 2026, claiming 4,058 lives — an average of 22 fatalities per day. The previous year saw an even higher toll of 23 deaths per day, though the marginal improvement offers little comfort.

Two-wheeler riders bear the heaviest burden: of the 9,194 accidents reported so far this year, 3,980 involved two-wheelers, and 1,835 riders — or 45.21% of all fatalities — were on motorcycles or scooters. Pedestrians accounted for the second-highest toll at 669 deaths. Police attribute the carnage to non-compliance with traffic rules, disregard for safety norms, and negligent driving. Notably, this is the third such multi-fatality day reported from the north coastal region in recent weeks, pointing to a systemic enforcement gap rather than a string of isolated mishaps.