What caused the Andhra Pradesh bus accident which killed 9 people and injured 22?

A tragic bus accident in Andhra Pradesh has claimed the lives of at least nine people and injured 22 others. The incident happened in the early hours of Friday morning in the Alluri Sitaramarajud district when a bus carrying passengers went off the road.

The bus was on its way from Chittoor to Bhadrachalam in the neighbouring state of Telangana. Officials confirmed there were 37 people on board, including the driver and staff. While 22 passengers sustained injuries, six people were fortunately unharmed.

According to Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar, the crash took place around 4:30am on the winding Chintoor-Maredumilli ghat road. The bus reportedly overturned and got stuck on the hillside near a Durga temple, which prevented it from falling completely into the valley below.

Initial reports suggest that heavy fog may have been a major factor in the crash. Police believe the driver might have missed a sharp curve on the road, leading to the accident. Among the 22 injured individuals, four are reported to be in critical condition and are receiving urgent medical care.

The passengers were on a pilgrimage, travelling to the famous Sri Rama temple in Bhadrachalam, when the unfortunate event occurred. Emergency services and local authorities are continuing their rescue and relief operations at the scene.

Both President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condelences to the victims families. Modi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of the kin of the deceased, and Rs 50,000 to the injured.