A terrible road accident happened early Thursday morning near Rayavaram in the Markapuram district of Andhra Pradesh. A private travel bus collided with a heavy truck carrying gravel, causing a massive fire that killed 13 people on the spot. Many others were injured and are now fighting for their lives in nearby hospitals. The crash happened during the early hours of March 26, 2026, leaving families and the local community in deep shock and grief.

What Happened?

The tragic event took place between 5:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m. when most of the passengers were likely asleep. The bus, which belongs to a company called Harikrishna Travels, was on a long journey from Nirmal in Telangana to Vinjamuru in the Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh. There were approximately 41 people on board the bus when it reached a sharp turning point near Rayavaram. At that exact moment, a tipper truck loaded with gravel was coming from the opposite direction, traveling from Kanigiri. The two large vehicles hit each other with a massive force that was heard from far away.

Immediately after the collision, a huge fire broke out. The flames spread so quickly that many passengers had almost no time to get out of the vehicle. Because the bus was mangled from the hit, some doors were stuck, making it even harder for people to escape the fire. When the police and the fire department arrived at the scene, they found the bus completely destroyed. They had to work very hard to put out the flames and then began the very sad task of removing the bodies of those who did not survive. The remains of the bus were left as a pile of burnt metal on the side of the road.

The injured passengers were quickly taken to the Markapuram Government Hospital. Out of the 25 people who were hurt, officials said that 10 people have very serious injuries. Five of those people are in a very dangerous condition. Because their injuries are so bad, doctors decided to move them to Guntur GGH and Obula Reddy Hospital, where they can get more specialized care. The rescue teams are still searching through what is left of the bus to make sure no one else is left behind, and they fear the number of deaths might go up.

Key Highlights

Thirteen passengers died instantly at the scene of the crash near Rayavaram.
The accident involved a private travel bus and a truck carrying gravel early Thursday morning.
A massive fire started right after the crash, trapping many people inside the bus.
There were about 41 people on the bus traveling from Telangana to Andhra Pradesh.
Twenty-five people were injured, and five of them are currently in critical condition.
Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has expressed his deep sorrow over the tragedy.
Police and fire teams worked together to rescue survivors and recover the deceased.

Why Does This Matter?

This accident is a very important reminder of the dangers on our roads, especially during the early morning hours when visibility might be low or drivers might be tired. For common people who travel by bus to see their families or go to work, this news is very scary. It shows how a normal trip can turn into a disaster in just a few seconds. When we hear about such a large number of deaths and a fire that could not be stopped, it makes us realize that road safety needs to be taken much more seriously by everyone.

It also matters because it highlights the need for better safety features in private buses. Many people are asking if the bus had enough emergency exits and if those exits were easy to use during a fire. This event will likely lead to stricter checks on private travel companies to make sure their vehicles are safe for the public. For the families who lost their loved ones, this is a life-changing tragedy that reminds us all to be careful and demand better safety standards on our highways.

What Are People Saying?

The District In-charge Collector, P. Raja Babu, spoke about the sad situation and confirmed the details of the rescue. He mentioned that the authorities are doing their best to identify the people who died so that their families can be informed. He said that the government is focusing on giving the best medical treatment to the 25 injured people. He also confirmed that the most seriously hurt patients are being moved to larger hospitals for better care.

Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu also shared a message regarding the accident. He said he was shocked to hear about the fire and the loss of so many lives. He has been in constant talk with the local officials to make sure that the rescue operations are going well. He promised that the government would provide all necessary help to the victims and their families. Local people who lived near the crash site said they were woken up by a loud sound and saw the sky turn red from the fire, but they could not help much because the heat was too strong.

Conclusion

The road accident near Rayavaram is a heartbreaking event that has taken many lives and left many others injured. As the police continue to investigate the exact cause—whether it was the speed of the vehicles or the dangerous turn in the road—the focus remains on helping the survivors. This tragedy has touched the hearts of many across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

We must hope that the investigation leads to changes that make our roads safer for everyone. For now, our thoughts are with the families of the 13 people who lost their lives on this dark Thursday morning. It is a day that the people of Markapuram will not forget for a long time, and it serves as a call for better safety for every traveler on the road.