52 pilgrims dead in horrific Telangana bus accident

According to initial reports, the brakes of the overcrowded bus failed while navigating a hilly road.

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52 people, including ten children, were killed and several others were injured after a state-run road transport corporation bus overturned and fell into a valley in Telangana's Jagitial district on Tuesday morning. Horrifying videos from the accident showed many people lying around lifeless. Many of the injured can be seen bleeding, even as locals rushed to the spot to help. The dead includes driver B Srinivas.

"The bus is a local one from Jagitial depot...totally overloaded. The bus was coming from Shanivarampet to Jagitial. After reaching Kondagattu, which is a ghat road, the bus lost control and fell down, killing 23 persons on the spot. The bus had more than 50 passengers. The incident took place at 11.30 am. We were all at Collectorate and rushed immediately and rescued many by 12.15 pm," said Jagitial Revenue Divisional Officer G Narendhar.

Finance Minister Etela Rajender told ANI that an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh has been announced for the families by Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao.

"The survivors say that they were petrified and yelling in panic after the bus was about to fall. We suspect that the bus' brakes failed," he added.

#UPDATE: Sindhu Sharma, SP Jagtial, says, "45 people have died so far. Injured have been admitted to nearby government hospitals. Rescue operation is underway." A state-run RTC bus accident had occurred near Kondaagattu, earlier today. #Telangana pic.twitter.com/VRW1Q8FaCC — ANI (@ANI) September 11, 2018

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 #PresidentKovind — President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) September 11, 2018

No words to describe the horrific accident. Deeply anguished and my heartfelt sympathy to the families of the deceased — KTR (@KTRTRS) September 11, 2018

Trigger warning: Images below may be disturbing.

The injured have been rushed to government hospitals in Jagtial and Karimnagar. The incident took place at the Kondagattu Ghat Road, as a bus full of pilgrims was returning to Jagtial town from the famous temple in the district. Officials say that the bus could have skid before it fell.

According to reports, the brakes of the bus failed, following which it turned turtle. The passengers reportedly belonged to the villages of Mallial and Nachpally.

Superintendent of Police Sindhu Sharma and Jagtial District Collector Dr A Sharat immediately rushed to the spot to oversee rescue operations.

In a statement, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao expressed shock and his condolences over the ghastly road accident and directed officials to provide medical assistance to the injured.