15 women and a boy drowned and ten others were critically injured when a tractor fell into the Musi river canal at near Vemulakonda in Yadadri district.
In a tragic incident this morning, 15 women and a boy drowned and ten others were critically injured when the tractor in which they were travelling fell into the Musi river canal at Lakshmapuram village near Vemulakonda in Yadadri district.
It is learnt some 25 women were travelling in the truck to reach their work place. It was also said there were children along with the women, and their whereabouts are yet to be ascertained.
The women were all going to take part in the sowing of cotton seeds in the land of one Venkata Narayana.
Upon receiving the information, police and revenue officials rushed to the spot and pulled all the 16 bodies and all the injured people out of the canal.
It is learnt that the tractor driver lost control over the vehicle while trying to avoid a motorcycle coming from the opposite direction, and that he fled immediately after the accident. As the tractor overturned and fell into the canal, none of the victims could come out.
Local farm workers from the nearby fields rushed to the spot and pulled many stuck in neck-deep water under the trailer. At least 15 women labourers suffered grievous injuries, and all of them were shifted to the Ramagundam hospital for treatment.
Some of the survivors said the tractor driver was driving the vehicle with one hand while smoking a cigarette. The police have launched a manhunt for the driver, and are still gathering details about the cause of the accident.
Those dead include K Lakshmi, her daughter Anusha, I Lakshmamma, I Shankaramma, A Ramulamma, Ch Narmada, K Bhagyamma, E Madhavi, J Maramma, P Bhagyamma, B Kavitha, B Swarupa, G Andalu and A Manemma.
The place reverberated with the cries of the kin of the deceased.
On being informed of the ghastly accident, Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao expressed his grief and shock. Extending his condolences to the kin of the deceased, the CM ordered the relevant officials to ensure that all the necessary medical treatment was provided to the injured.
Energy minister G Jagadish Reddy reviewed the relief and rescue operations with the district Collector. He asked TRS legislator P Shekhar Reddy to rush to the spot to supervise the rescue operations.
The Telangana government announced Rs 2 lakhs in ex-gratia, a double bedroom house and Rs 10,000 for funeral expenses to the kin of each of the victims who died in the accident.