Voice 9, News Desk: At least seven people were
killed, including a toddler, and up to 30 more were injured after a bus
transporting a wedding party crashed into the Nagarjuna Sagar Project (NSP)
canal between Monday and Tuesday night in Darsi, Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh.
It was a hired APSRTC bus on its route from
Podili to Kakinada. When the accident took place, there were 45 people aboard
the bus. They were on their way to Kakinada to attend a wedding.
Police and other departments raced to the scene
and began a relief and rescue operation. The injured were sent to local
hospitals right away.
The accident occurred on the outskirts of Darsi
when the driver of the RTC bus carrying the wedding party attempted to avoid a
private bus going in the other direction, according to Prakasam district
superintendent of police Mallika Garg. According to her, the cause of death was
breathing difficulties. Half the people sitting in the front were crushed by
the weight of others in the back portion falling on them.
According
to police, the RTC bus driver lost control of the vehicle after crossing the
first of two bridges when a private bus pulled into its lane.
The deceased were identified as Abdul
Plaziz (65), Abdul Honey (60), Sheikh Rameez (48), Mulla Noorjahan (58), Mulla
Johny Begum (65), Sheikh Sabeena (35), and Sheikh Heena (6). Following an
initial probe, police ruled out drunk driving as a cause of the mishap. The
police have booked a case under IPC Section 304 and are investigating.
Meanwhile, an official release from Chief Minister
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s office said the CM has expressed grief over the
incident. The chief minister directed the administration to facilitate the best
possible treatment for the victims.
