Speeding truck hits bus head-on in Telangana, killing 20 people
A devastating head-on collision in Telangana’s Rangareddy district claimed at least 20 lives and left numerous others injured on Monday morning. The tragedy occurred near Khanapur Gate in Chevella mandal when a speeding truck, reportedly travelling on the wrong side of the road, crashed directly into a Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) bus. The bus was carrying approximately 70 passengers at the time of the incident.
The impact of the crash, which took place on the Hyderabad-Bijapur highway, was severe, with reports indicating many passengers died instantly. Emergency services and local residents immediately began rescue operations, working to free survivors from the mangled wreckage. The injured were transported to several hospitals in Chevella and Hyderabad, including Osmania and Gandhi hospitals, with many reported to be in critical condition.
In response to the tragedy, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed deep grief and mandated an immediate, high-level response. He directed the state's Chief Secretary and DGP to personally oversee the rescue and medical efforts, ensuring all injured individuals receive advanced treatment in Hyderabad. The Chief Minister also instructed the District Collector to escalate relief measures, treating the situation as a "health emergency" to prioritize care.
The incident drew a swift response from the central government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow over the loss of lives and announced ex-gratia payments from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. The families of the deceased will receive Rs 2 lakh each, and the injured will receive Rs 50,000.
Condolences and calls for action also came from across the political spectrum, including BRS Chief K Chandrashekar Rao, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, and Union Minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar, all of whom urged the state government to provide comprehensive support. Telangana's Transport Minister, Ponnam Prabhakar, also ordered an inquiry into the accident's cause. Chevella Police are investigating the incident.
