VIJAYAWADA: At least 10 people died, and several others were injured after a private travel bus fell into a gorge on the Chinturu–Maredumilli ghat road in Alluri Sitarama Raju district on the night between Thursday and Friday.According to officials, a group of 37 people from Chittoor district, including two drivers, were on a pilgrimage. They were traveling to Annavaram after visiting Bhadrachalam.The incident happened post midnight on ghat road. Police suspect that the incident took place as the driver failed to negotiate a sharp curve and hit the safety wall at the 9th milestone near Tulasipaka. As the place where the incident happened was on the hills where mobile network coverage is not available, it took some time for the information to reach Mothugunta officials who rushed to the spot. The officials shifted the injured to Chintoor govt hospital. So far, retrieved 9 dead bodies and the death toll likely to increase according to officials.Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the incident. He directed the district officials to rush to the spot and ensure that all possible help was extended to the victims.
