15 killed as bus falls into valley in Telangana; CM announces Rs 5 lakh solatium

A Telangana State Road Transport Corporation bus plunged into a valley after it skidded off a road, leaving at least 15 passengers dead and 20 others injured in Jagtial district, officials said Tuesday.

Telangana Caretaker Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao expressed shock over the accident and announced financial assistance of Rs five lakh each to the families of the deceased, a CMO release said.

He also asked officials to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.

The accident occurred when the bus returning from Kondagattu to Jagital skidded off the ghat road near Shanivarapet village and fell into the valley, the officials said.

Over 40 passengers were travelling in the bus.

"The incident happened between 11.45 am and noon. At least 15 persons have died in the mishap...20 others were injured and they have been shifted to different hospitals," Jagtial district Collector A Sharat, who is supervising the relief and rescue work, told PTI over phone.

Expressing grief over the loss of life in the accident, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president N Uttam Kumar Reddy demanded financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh be provided to the families of the deceased.

-PTI