Eight devotees killed in road accident in Andhra, PM Modi condoles

At least eight devotees, including five women, were killed and 10 others were injured after a Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) collided with a tanker in Mantralayam of Kurnool district on Thursday, police said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the accident deeply painful.

"I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," said PM Modi in a post on X.

The accident occurred when the devotees were travelling to Mantralayam for the darshan of Sri Raghavendra Swamy, and the vehicle carrying nearly 20 passengers rammed into the tanker.

"Eight devotees died on the spot, while several others sustained injuries and were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment," Yemmiganur Deputy Superintendent of Police N Bhargavi told PTI.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the incident and inquired about the condition of the injured.

The accident occurred around 3 am on NH 167 when the driver, reportedly drowsy, drove in the wrong direction, leading to the collision, she said.

The presence of 20 people in the LCV exacerbated the impact of the accident, resulting in increased casualties. A minor girl and two men also died in the accident.

The injured were initially shifted to a nearby hospital, while critically injured persons were referred to Kurnool Government General Hospital (GGH) for better medical care.

Meanwhile, CM Naidu directed officials to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured and offered his condolences to the families of the deceased.