15 of marriage party killed in Andhra accident

At least 15 people were killed and 15 injured when a mini truck carrying a marriage party collided head-on with a bus in Andhra Pradesh's Prakasam district on Saturday, police said.

The accident occurred around 6.30 a.m. near Y. Charolapalem village of Valetivaripalem mandal in Prakasam district of south coastal Andhra, 360 km from here.

The mini truck, which was on its way from Kandukuru to Malakonda, rammed into the private bus coming from opposite direction.

There were no passengers in the private bus, which caught fire due to the collision.

Such was the impact of the collision that both vehicles fell off the road.

Police said both the vehicles were apparently moving at a very high speed. While 14 people died on the spot, one succumbed at Kandukuru Hospital.

The dead include three children and five women. The condition of eight of the injured is stated to be critical.

Transport Minister S. Raghava Rao, who rushed to the accident side, announced a compensation of Rs.2 lakh each to the families of those killed. He said the government would bear entire expenses for the treatment of the injured.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the tragic incident. He directed the transport minister to ensure that best medical treatment is provided to the injured.