Tragic Road Accident in Andhra Pradesh: 13 Dead, 20 Injured in Bus-Truck Collision

New Delhi, March 26, 2026 – A horrific road accident in the early hours of Thursday, March 26, 2026, has claimed the lives of at least 13 people and left over 20 others injured. The tragedy occurred when a private passenger bus collided head-on with a tipper truck near Rayavaram village in the Markapuram mandal of Prakasam district.

The Incident: A Fiery Collision

The accident took place between 6:00 AM and 6:30 AM near a stone quarry stretch. The private bus, operated by Harikrishna Travels, was en route from Nirmal (and Jagtial) in Telangana toward Nellore (Kaligiri/Vinjamuru) in Andhra Pradesh.

According to preliminary police reports, the bus was negotiating a sharp turn when it collided with a speeding tipper truck carrying a load of gravel or concrete. The impact was so severe that it triggered a massive fire, which reportedly started near the diesel tank and rapidly engulfed both vehicles.

• Fatalities: 13 passengers were charred to death as they were trapped inside the burning vehicle. Most of the victims were reportedly seated in the rear section of the bus and had no time to escape the fast-spreading flames.
• Injuries: Approximately 20 to 25 passengers sustained injuries. Ten of the injured are reported to be in serious condition, with five currently in critical care.

Rescue and Emergency Response

Local residents and quarry workers were the first to reach the site, attempting to pull survivors through the windows before the flames became too intense. Police and fire department personnel from Markapuram rushed to the scene with three fire engines to douse the blaze.

The injured were immediately shifted to the Markapuram Government Hospital. Those in critical condition are being transferred to larger facilities, including the Government General Hospital (GGH) in Guntur and Obula Reddy Hospital, for advanced treatment.

Investigation into the Cause

Authorities have launched a comprehensive inquiry into the disaster. While initial findings suggest over-speeding by the tipper truck as a primary factor, the bus driver, who survived with injuries, reportedly told officials that the steering wheel had jammed, causing the vehicle to veer into the opposite lane.

Notably, some surviving passengers claimed they had flagged mechanical issues earlier in the journey. The bus had reportedly halted for nearly an hour at Surragondapalem for minor repairs before resuming its ill-fated trip.

Government Reaction and Compensation

Leaders from both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, as well as the central government, have expressed their deep condolences.

Helpline Number

A command control room has been established to assist family members of the victims.

• Nellore Collectorate: 7995575699, 08612331261
• Ongole Collectorate: 1077

The identification process for the deceased is ongoing, as many bodies were burnt beyond immediate recognition. Forensic teams are expected to assist in the process.