At least 20 people were killed and 10 others were critically injured after a lorry rammed into a crowded market in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh on Friday. The Superintendent of Police of Andhra Pradesh and district collectors have reportedly reached the accident spot. The death toll is likely to rise.
The accident took place in the Yerpedu area of Chittoor district. According to the police, the truck driver lost control of the vehicle and rammed into a car first, then hit an electricity pole after which it crashed into roadside commercial shops at the busy Putalapatu-Naidupet junction. The truck was travelling from Srikalahasti to Tirupati.
The injured people were rushed to different hospitals in Tirupati and Srikalahasti areas, which are located close to the accident spot. Several of the injured were admitted at the Ruia Hospital at Tirupati with serious injuries, according to local media reports.
Minister for Health and Medical Services Kamineni Srinivas instructed district officials to provide all support to the victims of the accident, including necessary medical treatment for those who have been injured. He also ordered the officials to complete the post mortem formalities of the victims and release their bodies to their respective families as soon as possible.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu took stock of the situation and instructed ministers and other public representatives to go to the site of the accident immediately and provide the victims with all the necessary assistance. He also instructed the state administration to deploy a team for the rescue operation.
