Bus-truck collision in Markapuram LIVE: 13 killed, 25 injured; Chandrababu Naidu expresses shock

A tragic road accident near Rayavaram in Markapuram district has sent shockwaves across Andhra Pradesh, with several passengers feared dead after a private travel bus collided with a tipper and caught fire. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep anguish over the incident, particularly over reports that multiple passengers were burnt alive in the blaze.

According to the officials, the bus, belonging to Harikrishna Travels, was en route from Nirmal in Telangana to Nellore when the accident occurred. Preliminary reports indicate that at least 20 injured passengers were immediately shifted to nearby hospitals, where they are undergoing treatment. Authorities fear the death toll may rise.

In the aftermath of a massive bus fire that killed at least 14 people, authorities in Telangana have set up control rooms in Nirmal and Jagtial districts to assist victims and their families, who were travelling from these regions when the tragedy struck.

The incident was reported in the early hours of Thursday (March 26, 2026) morning in Andhra Pradesh’s Markapuram district, when a lorry rammed into a private passenger bus, triggering a massive blaze that rapidly engulfed both vehicles.

A major road accident took place near Rayavaram in Markapuram district of Andhra Pradesh’s Prakasam district in the wee hours of Thursday (March 26, 2026).

Responding on the accident, Markapuram District In-charge Collector P. Raja Babu said, “Out of 41 passengers in the bus, 13 persons died on the spot and their bodies were collected. Among 25 injured persons admitted in Government Hospital in Markapuram, 10 suffered severe injuries and five were in critical condition. The five critical persons will be shifted to Guntur GGH.”