On 12th December (Friday), a private transport vehicle crashed into a valley on the Tulasipaka ghat route in Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district, at almost 4:30 am. The tragedy killed nine pilgrims from Chittoor district and injured 27 others. At the time of the incident, 37 people were on board the Vigneswara Travels bus, including two drivers.
The incident happened at a tight turn on the Chinturu–Maredumilli ghat road, in the early hours. The travellers were expected to arrive at the Bhadrachalam’s Sri Rama temple later in the morning after leaving Araku Valley. However, the bus fell into a gorge on the Chinturu–Maredumilli ghat road at around 4 AM on Friday.
Police suspect that the driver failed to handle a sharp curve on the road and hit the safety wall, and then plunged into the gorge. As there is no mobile network at the spot, it took some time for officials to get the information.
Later, local residents, teams from the Maredumilli and Chintoor police stations arrived at the scene and started rescue efforts. Due to the dense fog, the bus driver most likely failed to notice a curve and reportedly lost control.
“The accident involving a private bus carrying passengers near Chittoor district in Alluri Sitarama Raju has deeply shaken us. It is heartbreaking that several lives were lost in this accident. I have spoken with the officials regarding the accident and gathered details about the assistance being provided to the affected individuals. I have instructed the officials to take all necessary measures to ensure that the injured receive better medical aid. The government will stand by the families of those who lost their lives in the accident,” stated Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
అల్లూరి సీతారామరాజు జిల్లా చింతూరు వద్ద జరిగిన యాత్రికుల ప్రైవేటు బస్సు ప్రమాదం తీవ్రంగా కలిచివేసింది. ఈ ప్రమాదంలో పలువురు ప్రాణాలు కోల్పోవడం విచారకరం. ప్రమాదంపై అధికారులతో మాట్లాడాను, బాధితులకు అందుతున్న సాయంపై వివరాలు తెలుసుకున్నాను. క్షతగాత్రులకు మెరుగైన వైద్య సాయం అందేలా…
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) December 12, 2025
“Pained by the loss of lives due to a bus mishap in the Alluri Sitharama Raju district of Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF (Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund) would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” PMO India also posted after the instance.
ఆంధ్రప్రదేశ్లోని అల్లూరి సీతారామరాజు జిల్లాలో జరిగిన బస్సు ప్రమాదంలో ప్రాణనష్టం సంభవించడం చాలా బాధాకరం. ఈ క్లిష్ట సమయంలో బాధిత ప్రజలు మరియు వారి కుటుంబాలకు నా ప్రగాఢ సానుభూతిని తెలియజేస్తూ, గాయపడినవారు త్వరగా కోలుకోవాలని ప్రార్థిస్తున్నాను.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 12, 2025
ప్రమాదంలో మరణించిన వారి కుటుంబాలకు…
President Droupadi Murmu also prayed for the quick recovery of the wounded and sent sincere condolences to the grieving families, in an formal message.
It took some time for the information to reach Mothugunta officials as the incident occurred on a hill where mobile network coverage is unavailable. The injured were sent to Chintoor Government Hospital by the officials. Tribal welfare minister G Sandhya Rani and home minister Vangalapudi Anitha also went to the location. Critical patients have been moved to the hospital in the Bhadrachalam area.
