A tragic Monday morning turned into heartbreak for several families in Telangana when a Telangana Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) bus collided head-on with a speeding truck carrying gravel near Tandur, close to Hyderabad. The horrifying crash claimed the lives of 19 people, including three sisters returning from a wedding and a mother clutching her three-month-old baby.
Tragedy Strikes On Chevella-Bijapur Highway
The accident occurred around 7:30 am on the busy Chevella-Bijapur highway near Mirzaguda-Khanapur Road in Ranga Reddy district, about 50 kilometres from Hyderabad. A truck, heavily loaded with gravel, crashed into an RTC passenger bus, causing the gravel to spill and bury several passengers alive inside the mangled vehicle.
Most of the victims were residents of Tandur, a small town in Vikarabad district. Locals were shocked to wake up to such devastating news as ambulances and rescue vehicles rushed through the narrow lanes carrying the bodies of victims.
Three Sisters Lose Their Lives While Returning To College
Among the victims were three young sisters from Tandur who had travelled home for the weekend to attend a family wedding. Their father, Yellaiah Goud, broke down as he revealed that his daughters were on their way back to Hyderabad to attend classes when the accident happened.
The eldest sister, Anusha, had recently been married, and the family was still celebrating her new life. But the tragedy shattered their joy forever. Relatives described the girls as bright, loving, and full of dreams — dreams cut short in a matter of seconds.
Mother And Newborn Found In A Heartbreaking Embrace
The accident scene revealed one of the most emotional moments when rescue workers found a mother, Saliha Begum (33), holding her three-month-old baby tightly in her arms. Both were lifeless when pulled from the wreckage.
A rescue worker said, “When we cleared the gravel, we saw the mother still hugging her baby.” The mother and child were reportedly travelling to meet their relatives in Hyderabad. Their tragic end left even the rescue teams in tears.
Victims And Survivors Recall The Horror
Survivors described the scene as pure chaos. The bus was crushed, the gravel poured over passengers, and screams filled the air. N. Hanumanthu, one of the passengers who boarded the bus after missing a train, also lost his life. His 10-year-old son, Vivek, was seen crying near the hospital, saying, “Within minutes, I could not see my father.”
Authorities said the bus had started its journey at 4:30 am, and the collision occurred just two hours later. The bus had been hired by the RTC from a private operator, and investigations are underway to determine if there were any lapses in safety or maintenance.
Rescue And Relief Efforts Underway
Rescue teams and police officers worked tirelessly at the site, using earthmovers to remove gravel and retrieve bodies from the damaged bus. Locals joined hands to help transport the injured to nearby hospitals.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep grief over the tragedy and directed officials to provide immediate medical assistance and compensation to the victims’ families. Control rooms were set up to provide information and support.
Road Safety Concerns Resurface
This accident once again highlights India’s growing road safety crisis, especially involving heavy vehicles. Over-speeding trucks and poorly maintained roads are frequent causes of deadly accidents. Experts are calling for stricter regulation of private transport vehicles and speed control enforcement on highways.
Every year, thousands of innocent lives are lost to negligence and unsafe driving practices — a grim reminder that road safety in India still has a long way to go.
Conclusion
The Ranga Reddy bus tragedy is one of the most heartbreaking accidents in recent memory. The story of three young sisters returning from a wedding and a mother hugging her newborn till her last breath has left the nation mourning.
Their loss is not just a statistic — it is a reminder that every moment of life is precious. The government’s immediate response is crucial, but what India truly needs is long-term road safety reform to prevent such horrific incidents in the future.