Jagtial: At least 51 people, including women and children, were killed and several others injured when a RTC bus lost control and plunged into a gorge at Kondagattu Ghat Road near Jagtial on Tuesday.
The bus, belonging to the Jagtial depot, had 88 passengers, who reportedly came to the hillock temple at Kondagattu. The bus was going from Shanivarampeta village to Jagtial via the Kondagattu ghat road and Muthyampet villages when the accident occurred.
Brake failure is suspected to be the reason that led to the ghastly accident. The locals and passerby immediately rushed for help and shifted the injured to Jagtial Hospital.
Jagtial Collector A. Sharath, SP Sindhu Sharma and Karimnagar Police Commissioner Kamalhasan Reddy and other officials reached the spot.
Caretaker Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao had announced Rs. 5 lakhs ex-gratia to the family members of the deceased in the Kondagattu disaster.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Mahender Reddy, who visited the spot, announced that the RTC would pay compensation of Rs. 3 lakh to the family members of each deceased.
President, PM expresses shock
“Shocked to learn about the bus accident in Jagtial, Telangana. Thoughts with the bereaved families and those injured. I understand local authorities are making efforts to rescue and help passengers who have suffered,” President of India Ramnath Kovind said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tweeted, “”The bus accident in Telangana’s Jagtial district is shocking beyond words. Anguished by the loss of lives. My thoughts and solidarity with the bereaved families. I pray that the injured recover quickly.”
Governor of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana E.S.L. Narasimhan expressed shock over the bus accident at Kondagattu in Jagityal district. The Governor said that he is pained by the loss of precious lives and injuries to several passengers in the bus accident.
Narasimhan had spoken to the District Collector and said that immediate relief measures be taken up to provide necessary medical treatment to those injured in the bus accident.
The Governor offered his heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved families, who lost their loved ones.
In a separate message, Chief Minister K.Chandrashekhar Rao expressed shock over the ghastly road accident at Kondagattu Ghat road.
He expressed deep condolences on the loss of lives and injuries to others. CM has further directed the officials concerned to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.