New Delhi, Nov 3 (NationPress) President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound sorrow on Monday regarding the tragic loss of lives in a bus mishap in Ranga Reddy district, Telangana. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) announced that an ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) will be granted to the bereaved families of each victim.

President Murmu conveyed her condolences via X, stating, "The tragic loss of numerous lives in a bus accident in Ranga Reddy, Telangana is exceptionally heartbreaking. I extend my sincere sympathies to the grieving families and pray for the swift recovery of those injured."

The PMO's statement on X mentioned, "The tragic loss of life due to an accident in Rangareddy district is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the victims and their families during this challenging time. I pray for the quick recovery of the injured. An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF will be provided to the families of the deceased, while those injured will receive Rs 50,000."

The incident took place around 6:30 a.m. on Monday along the Hyderabad-Bijapur highway near Mirzaguda in Chevella mandal, approximately 60 km from Hyderabad.

The bus, traveling from Tandur to Hyderabad, was struck by a concrete-laden tipper truck that was moving in the opposite direction.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that passengers seated in the first six rows were tragically crushed and buried under gravel as the tipper truck collided with the bus. The full load of gravel fell into the bus, escalating the severity of the crash.

A total of 18 passengers, including 10 women, lost their lives in the collision. Among the deceased were the drivers of both the bus and the truck. Tragically, a 10-month-old baby and her mother were also among the victims.

Approximately 70 passengers were aboard the bus, which was operated by the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC).

Several individuals sustained injuries and were transported to the government hospital in Chevella, where the condition of three of them is reported as critical.

Heart-wrenching scenes unfolded as injured individuals trapped in the wreckage cried for help.

Rescue teams faced significant challenges in extracting the injured. Three JCBs were deployed to cut through the bus to retrieve bodies and assist the injured.

A survivor recounted that the bus departed from Tandur at 5 a.m. and was at full capacity by the time it arrived in Vikarabad, with several passengers standing.

Survivors reported that a speeding tipper truck from the opposite lane collided with the bus, resulting in the tragic deaths of the driver and passengers seated in the six rows behind him.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed his sorrow over the accident and instructed officials to promptly reach the scene and initiate relief efforts.

The Chief Minister also requested continuous updates on the situation from officials and directed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to ensure that all injured individuals receive immediate and top-notch medical care.

Furthermore, he instructed nearby ministers to rush to the accident site without delay. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for the District Collector to enhance rescue and relief operations and to take all necessary steps for effective assistance.

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar called for the implementation of relief measures and for the injured to receive the best medical care possible.