12 Dead, 25 Hurt In Bus Accident

At least 12 students were feared killed, and 25 others sustained injuries, when a school bus fell into a canal near Tungaram Vagu in Sujathanagar of Chandrugonda mandal, in Khammam district, on Tuesday.

According to reports, the bus, which belongs to L V Reddy School at Vemulagadda (Kottagudem mandal), met with the accident while carrying about 40 students home from school. The driver apparently lost balance, and the bus fell off the bridge, breaking the railing. It fell head-on into the canal.

Bodies of 8 students have already been recovered. 2 other students died on the way to hospital.

All the bodies have been sent to the Government Hospital in Khammam, and the identities of the deceased are yet to be ascertained.

Among the 25 injured, the condition of 4 students is stated to be critical.

The Khammam district authorities have launched relief operations to trace the missing students.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy expressed shock and anguish over the bus accident. He asked the District Collector and other officials concerned to rush to the spot and render the required medical assistance to the needy.

He also asked the officials to lend all assistance to the kith and kin of the deceased children.

The Chief Minister termed the incident most unfortunate, and asked the Collector to enquire into the incident and submit a detailed report. (INN)