Fourteen people are reported to be killed, several injured in a bus fire accident in Markapuram district of Andhra Pradesh state on Thursday, Police said. The victims/passengers were burnt alive.
As per the local media, the bus collided with a gravel-loaded tipper.
Toll goes up to 14, say Police.
"Nearly eight people were burnt alive, and about 18 injured persons have been rescued so far and shifted to the hospital. Efforts are on to gather complete details of the incident," Markapuram Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Nagraju earlier informed.
Rescue teams are working to identify the victims and gather details of their relatives, who will be informed once verification is completed, he added.
Police said some passengers sustained minor injuries and were undergoing treatment at a hospital, while officials continue to collect further information.
Nagraju said that some bodies are still believed to be trapped inside the bus, which caught fire following the accident, making retrieval operations difficult.
President Droupadi Murmu condoled the loss of lives, while wishing for a speedy recovery of the injured.
"Deeply saddened to learn about the tragic bus accident in Markapuram district, Andhra Pradesh. I extend my deepest condolences to the bereaved families. My thoughts and prayers are with them. I wish a speedy recovery to those injured," Murmu said on X.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has also expressed shock over the accident and expressed grief over the loss of lives, asking the authorities to launch a probe into the incident.
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