Tragic Bus Fire Claims Lives in Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati, March 2026 : A devastating road accident in Markapuram district claimed at least 14 lives and left 15 others injured after a private travel bus caught fire following a collision with a tipper truck on Thursday morning, police said.

The accident occurred near Rayavaram around 6:30 a.m., close to a stone quarry, when the bus, operated by Harikrishna Travels, rammed into a tipper carrying a load of concrete. The impact triggered a massive fire, engulfing both vehicles within minutes.

There were 35 passengers on board at the time of the incident. While 10 people managed to escape soon after the fire broke out, several others were trapped inside, leading to a high number of fatalities. The injured were immediately rushed to the government hospital in Markapuram, where some remain in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could increase.

The victims include women and children, many of whom were residents of Kanigiri and Pamuru. The bus was travelling from Hyderabad to Pamuru, while the tipper was heading towards Markapuram from Chimakurthy.

Emergency response teams, including police and fire services, rushed to the scene upon receiving information. Three fire engines were deployed to control the blaze and assist in rescue operations.

Local MLA K. Narayana Reddy visited the accident site along with senior officials and monitored the ongoing rescue and relief efforts.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep shock over the incident and spoke to officials to assess the situation. He directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured and ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the accident.

Transport Minister Manipalli Ramprasad Reddy and HRD and IT Minister Nara Lokesh also conveyed their condolences to the bereaved families and assured full government support to the victims.

Authorities have launched a detailed probe to determine the circumstances that led to the tragic collision.