8 Killed As Mini Bus Falls Into Gorge On Maredumilli-Chittoor Highway 

Chittoor: Five people were killed and several others injured after a mini bus carrying over 20 passengers fell into a gorge on Maredumilli-Chittoor highway near East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh, on Tuesday (October 15).

According to media reports, the accident occurred at Valmiki Konda, about 15 km away from Maredumilli, when the driver tried to take a turn on the ghat road.

After a visit to the famous hill shrine of Lord Rama at Bhadrachalam in neighbouring Telangana, the pilgrims started off for the Satyanarayana Swamy temple at Annavaram in Andhra Pradesh when the tragedy occurred.

Police rushed to the spot immediately and started rescue operations along with the local people. The injured were admitted in Rampachodaram government hospital and their condition is said to be critical.

The victims were identified as residents of Chelekeri village in Chitradurga district in Karnataka, who were on a pilgrimage to various shrines in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Police has started an inquiry and the reason behind the mishap is yet to be known.

Locals say Ghat Road between Maredumilli-Chintur is very treacherous and it is damaged due to recent heavy rains, and the travellers had to travel through a narrow road in the middle of the valley. Tourist buses ply through the roads on all days.

Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy spoke to the East Godavari district officials over phone and enquired about the accident, a release from his office here said. He directed the district authorities to ensure proper treatment to the injured.

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