'Pained by loss': PM Modi announces Rs 2 lakh for Andhra bus accident victims; 9 killed, 20 injured

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed condolences to the victims of the tragic Andhra gorge accident that killed nine and left 20 others injured. He also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister's national relief fund.In a post on X, the PMO extended condolences for the lives lost and the people injured, "Pained by the loss of lives due to a bus mishap in the Alluri Sitharama Raju district of Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured."Further, announcing the ex gratia for the affected, the PM said, "An ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000." A private bus plunged into a valley in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, at 4.30 am. The accident occurred at Rajugarimetta on the Chintoor-Maredumilli ghat road in Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district.The police said the bus, which was headed to neighbouring Telangana from Chittoor, was carrying 37 people, including the driver and the cleaner. Six of them are safe.According to Superintendent of Police Amit Bardar, it is likely that the bus driver did not see a curve at the accident site, which falls in the Mothugudem police station area, due to heavy fog.Bardar said the bus passengers were going to the Sri Rama temple in Telangana's Bhadrachalam from Chittoor.