Nine Killed as Tourist Bus Falls Into Gorge Near Chinturu

Nine people died, and several others were injured when a private bus carrying 35 passengers overturned and fell into a gorge on the Chinturu–Bhadrachalam road in Andhra Pradesh early Friday, officials said.

The accident occurred around 5:30 a.m. near Tulasipakalu village. The bus, reportedly from Chittoor district, was transporting tourists who had visited the Bhadrachalam temple and were travelling to Annavaram when it veered off the road and plunged into the valley.

“All nine deaths have been confirmed. The injured have been shifted to Bhadrachalam Hospital,” ASR district collector Dinesh Kumar said. Seven passengers were first taken to the Community Health Centre in Chinturu, approximately 15 km from the site, and were later transferred after their condition stabilized.

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as passengers remained trapped inside the mangled bus. Police and local rescue teams launched immediate operations to pull out survivors and recover the bodies.

Officials said the vehicle was carrying 35 passengers along with the driver and the cleaner. Rescue work is still in progress, and the toll may rise.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the accident and announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those who died and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

“Pained by the loss of lives due to a bus mishap in the Alluri Sitarama Raju district of Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a post on X.