A tragic road accident in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district has claimed at least eight lives, leaving several others injured after a head-on collision between a passenger vehicle and a tanker/goods vehicle near Chilakaladona in Mantralayam mandal. The victims were pilgrims travelling to the holy town of Mantralayam for darshan of Sri Raghavendra Swamy.

According to police, the accident involved a Bolero-type vehicle carrying around 16 passengers, which collided with a heavy vehicle. While five people died on the spot, three others succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment, bringing the toll to eight. Around 10 to 12 passengers sustained injuries and were shifted to nearby hospitals, including Emmiganur Hospital, for treatment.

Officials confirmed that the deceased were primarily pilgrims from Karnataka’s Chikkamagaluru region, including five women, a minor girl, and two men.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident and extended condolences to the bereaved families.

“The mishap in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh is deeply painful. I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the Prime Minister's Office posted on X.

The government also announced financial assistance through the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). An ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh will be given to the next of kin of each deceased, while ₹50,000 will be provided to the injured.

With agency inputs