The Papikonda National Park bus accident claimed nine lives after a tourist bus fell into a deep gorge near Maredumilli in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday morning. The Papikonda National Park bus accident happened on a narrow forest road where fog reduced visibility.
The bus was travelling from a nearby resort area. While taking a sharp curve, the driver lost control. The vehicle then plunged into the gorge, officials said.
Police teams from Maredumilli and Chintoor rushed to the spot. Rescue work started immediately. Local villagers joined the effort to save passengers trapped inside the damaged bus.
The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals without delay. Doctors are closely monitoring their condition. Rescue teams searched the area for several hours to make sure no one was left behind.
Forest officials said the route has steep slopes and sharp bends. Fog is common during early morning hours, which makes driving risky in the region.
Senior officials visited the accident site and reviewed relief work. The district administration announced support for the victims’ families. Authorities also ordered a detailed investigation into the cause of the crash.
Officials urged tourists to be extra careful while travelling through hill roads inside national parks.
