At least 9 people were killed and 29 others injured after a bus carrying passengers plunged into a ravine in Andhra Pradesh, India, on December 12, marking one of the deadliest road accidents in the region this year.
The accident occurred near Tulasipakalu village in Alluri Sitarama Raju district, approximately 267 kilometers northeast of Amaravati, the capital city of Andhra Pradesh. The bus was carrying 37 people, including 35 passengers, two drivers, and one cleaner when it skidded off the road and plunged into the ravine around 4:30 a.m.
The bus veered off the road while navigating a sharp curve in the area. Heavy fog likely caused the driver to miss the curve, leading to the tragic accident. The vehicle did not fully plunge into the valley but overturned and became lodged on the roadside after hitting rocks. The victims have been identified as pilgrims from Chittoor district who were traveling to Annavaram temple after visiting Bhadrachalam temple in Telangana.
Emergency response teams from the Maredumilli and Chintoor police stations reached the scene immediately after the accident and began rescue operations with the assistance of local villagers. However, the remote location and poor mobile network coverage in the forest area delayed the initial alert to authorities. The injured victims, including four in critical condition, were transported to nearby medical facilities for treatment. Six passengers escaped unharmed.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his sorrow over the incident and said compensation would be provided to the victims’ families. Modi announced that Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund would be given to the next of kin of each deceased victim, while Rs. 50,000 would be provided to each injured person. President Draupadi Murmu and Governor S. Abdul Nazeer also expressed their condolences to the bereaved families.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the tragedy and directed officials to ensure comprehensive medical assistance for the injured and support for the families of the deceased. Following the accident, Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha announced that passenger bus traffic on the Maredumilli-Chinturu ghat road would be suspended during nighttime hours, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., effective immediately.
Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar stated that dense fog likely prevented the bus driver from spotting a bend in the road, causing the vehicle to plunge into the ravine. Based on preliminary investigations, the bus was traveling at approximately 40 kilometers per hour when it encountered two successive ‘S’ curves on the steep gradient. District Transport Officer Rakasa Rao stated that the driver appeared to have failed to reduce speed while negotiating the bends, resulting in loss of control.
Transport authorities confirmed the bus, operated by Vigneshwara Travels and bearing registration number AP 39 UM 6543, held valid permits and fitness certificates. Authorities ruled out any issues regarding the vehicle’s fitness and confirmed the driver was not under the influence of alcohol. However, investigators suspect the driver may have lacked adequate experience driving through challenging curves on ghat roads under adverse weather conditions.
The 25-kilometer Bhadrachalam-Maredumilli ghat road has been identified by authorities as one of the most dangerous stretches in the region. The area near the 9th milestone close to Tulasipaka is known for its sharp curves and poor visibility. Critics have pointed to the absence of protective barriers along significant portions of the ghat road, with safety walls installed for only five kilometers of the route.
Police have filed a case and launched an investigation into the incident. Authorities will be examining all factors that may have contributed to the tragedy, including road conditions, vehicle maintenance records, driver qualifications, weather-related visibility issues, and inadequate safety infrastructure such as missing protective barriers and insufficient road markings.
This accident highlights broader road safety challenges facing Andhra Pradesh. Chief Minister Naidu had recently raised concerns about rising accident rates in the state, revealing that 6,433 people had died in 15,462 road accidents in Andhra Pradesh through 2024. According to official data, 79% of road accidents in the state occur due to overspeeding, 3% due to wrong-side driving, and approximately 1% each due to alcohol consumption and mobile phone use. Andhra Pradesh currently ranks eighth nationally in road accidents.
According to the India Status Report on Road Safety 2024, Andhra Pradesh recorded 15.6 road deaths per 100,000 population in 2022. Two-wheeler riders account for 44.70% of all road fatalities in the state, making them the most vulnerable road users. National highways in India, which comprise only 2.1% of total road length, accounted for 45.7% of all road deaths in 2022.
As investigations continue into the Andhra Pradesh accident, the findings may lead to recommendations for improved safety measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.