13 Killed, Dozens Injured as Bus Collides with Truck, Catches Fire in Southern India

At least 13 people have been confirmed dead and more than 20 others injured after a passenger bus collided with a truck and burst into flames in southern India.

The fatal crash occurred in the Markapuram district of Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of Thursday, around 6:00 a.m. local time, according to officials.

Authorities said the impact of the collision triggered a fire that rapidly engulfed the bus, leaving several passengers trapped and burned in the blaze.

“So far, we have reports of 13 deaths and more than 20 injured,” a police official in Markapuram confirmed.

Emergency responders rushed to the scene, evacuating survivors and transporting the injured to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

State Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the cause of the accident, according to a statement released by his office on X.

Reacting to the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the crash as “tragic” and announced financial compensation for the families of the deceased as well as those injured.

The cause of the collision remains unclear as authorities continue their investigation.