19 killed as truck collides head-on with RTC bus in Telangana’s Chevella

At least 19 people were killed and over a dozen injured when a gravel-laden truck collided with a TGSRTC bus near Chevella. Police suspect overloading as cause behind the devastating crash

Hyderabad: In one of the most tragic road accidents in recent years, 19 people were killed and over a dozen injured when a gravel-laden truck collided head-on with a Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) bus near Mirzaguda village in Chevella of Ranga Reddy district on Monday morning.

The accident occurred around 5.10 am on the Hyderabad–Bijapur National Highway when the Tandur–Hyderabad RTC bus bearing registration number TG 34 TA 6354, reportedly carrying nearly 70 passengers, was hit by a truck laden with gravel coming from the opposite direction. The truck reportedly had lost control near Khanapur Gate, crashing into the bus.

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According to the police, the impact crushed the front portions of both the vehicles, and the truck’s gravel load fell onto the bus, burying several passengers alive and injuring others.

On receiving information, the Chevella police along with rescue teams and locals rushed to the spot and used excavators to remove the debris. Police said several passengers were trapped under the gravel for hours before being pulled out.

Officials confirmed 21 deaths, including drivers, several women, and children. Over 15 passengers suffered serious injuries and were shifted to Chevella Government Hospital and other hospitals.

Among the victims were a family of three sisters, a mother and one-month-old girl child, two couples and several students returning to Hyderabad after the weekend. In one tragic case, two young girls identified as Bhavani and Shiva Leela were orphaned after their parents, Bandappa and Lakshmi of Hajipur village, died in the crash.

Locals described the collision as a thunderous crash followed by cries for help.

Recounting the horrific scene, a local from Mirzaguda said, “We saw the bus half buried in gravel. People were trapped under the stones and screaming for help. We tried to pull them out with our hands before the JCB arrived.”

Preliminary investigations by the Chevella police revealed that both the truck and the bus were overloaded, contributing to the severity of the impact. Authorities are probing whether the truck’s brakes failed or if the driver had fatigue after a night-long trip or if it was a result of other factors including a bad road condition.

The Chevella police have registered a case and seized both the heavy vehicles. Forensic teams are analysing the vehicles to determine the exact sequence of events. Meanwhile, the bodies of the victims were handed over to the families after autopsy.