Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Seven Killed in Andhra Bus-Auto Collision, Eight Injured
A private bus and an auto-rickshaw crashed near Chilakaluripet in Andhra Pradesh.
The crash happened at about 1 a.m.
on Thursday.
Fifteen people were riding in the auto-rickshaw.
Seven people died, and most reports said eight others were hurt.
Four children were among those reported injured.
The people in the auto came from Veluru village and had been returning from a birthday celebration.
Police said the auto may have turned into the bus's path, but they are still investigating what happened.
Government officials asked hospitals to care for the injured and ordered an examination of road safety and possible driver negligence.
A private bus traveling from Vijayawada to Tirupati collided with an auto-rickshaw near Kala Mandir Junction in Chilakaluripet early Thursday.
Seven of the 15 people in the auto-rickshaw died, while most reports said eight others, including four children, were injured.
Four people died at the scene, two at Guntur Government General Hospital, and one at Chilakaluripet Government Hospital.
The victims were residents of Veluru village and were returning from a birthday celebration; reports differed on whether it was in Prakasam or Bapatla district.
Police registered a case and began investigating, while state leaders directed officials to provide medical care and examine possible negligence and road-safety violations.
- Who
- Fifteen residents of Veluru village were in the auto-rickshaw; seven died and eight were reported injured. A private bus was also involved.
- What
- A private travel bus collided with an auto-rickshaw, killing seven people and injuring six or eight others, depending on the report.
- When
- Around 1 a.m. on Thursday.
- Where
- Near Kala Mandir Junction, Chilakaluripet Cross Roads, on Chilakaluripet Main Road in Palnadu district, Andhra Pradesh.
- Why
- Police said the auto-rickshaw turned onto the wrong side or suddenly entered the bus's path. Investigators were also directed to examine speed, possible driver negligence, and other circumstances.
Broader Investigation
Police Preliminary Account
Possible cause
Broader Investigation
State officials ordered an examination of all circumstances, including bus speed, driver negligence, and road-safety compliance.
Police Preliminary Account
The Narasaraopet DSP said the auto-rickshaw turned onto the wrong side of the road into the bus's path; another report said the driver may have been under the influence of alcohol and made a sudden turn.
Injury count
Broader Investigation
The first and most other reports stated that eight people were injured, including four children.
Police Preliminary Account
A PTI report quoting the DSP stated that six people were injured.
Birthday celebration location
Broader Investigation
Several reports said the victims were returning from Kondamanjulur in Prakasam district.
Police Preliminary Account
One report placed the birthday celebration in Bapatla district.
- Deaths
- Seven people died, including six women according to one report.
- Injuries
- Most reports said eight people were injured, including four children; a PTI report said six.
- Auto-rickshaw occupants
- Fifteen people were traveling in the auto-rickshaw.
- Bus route
- The private bus was traveling from Vijayawada to Tirupati.
- Deaths by location
- Four people died at the scene, two at Guntur Government General Hospital, and one at Chilakaluripet Government Hospital.
- Victims
- The victims were residents of Veluru village in Chilakaluripet mandal and were closely related, according to police.
- Police action
- Police registered a case, took the bus driver into custody according to one report, and began investigating the crash.
Sources
Seven Killed as Bus Hits Auto in AP’s Palnadu District
Seven killed, eight injured as travel bus collides with auto rickshaw in Chilakaluripet
Seven killed in bus-auto rickshaw collision in Andhra, CM Naidu condoles
Seven killed as private bus collides with auto-rickshaw in Andhra's Palnadu