Forty pilgrims were killed and several others injured when a state-run Road Transport Corporation (RTC) bus fell off a ghat road of a hill into a gorge in Telangana’s Jagitial district on Tuesday (Sept 11).

The pilgrims were on their way back from the famous Lord Hanuman temple atop Kondagattu hill and more than 50 passengers had boarded the bus.

Police suspect the accident took place due to failure of brakes while the driver was negotiating a turn on the ghat road down the hill at around 11.30 am.

More than 10 bodies have been recovered so far and the injured are being shifted to Jagitial government hospital, police said.

While local villagers quickly took up rescue works, Jagitial collector Sharath and superintendent of police Sindhu Sharma rushed to the spot along with police forces.

Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekhar Rao expressed shock over the accident and conveyed his condolences. He directed officials to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.

He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of those killed.

Source: The Hindustan Times

BDST: 1450 HRS, SEP 11, 2018
AP