Pilgrim Bus Plunges into Gorge in Alluri Sitarama Raju District, 8 Killed

• A private bus carrying 37 pilgrims fell into a gorge in Alluri Sitarama Raju district, resulting in 8 immediate deaths and several injuries.
• The bus was transporting 35 pilgrims and 2 drivers from Chittoor district, returning from Bhadrachalam and heading to Annavaram.
• The accident occurred on the Chintoor-Maredumilli ghat road; the death toll later rose to 9, with some injured in critical condition.
• Among the deceased were Sunanda and Shivashankar Reddy from Palamaneru, Chittoor district, and Sunanda's mother.
• Police and locals conducted rescue operations, hospitalizing the injured. Authorities announced ex-gratia for the victims' families.

Why It Matters: It reveals the devastating human cost of road accidents.