16 killed, several injured as RTC bus plunges into valley in Ananta district

Anantapuram, Jan 7, 2015: 16 persons were killed and several others seriously injured when an RTC bus, on its way from Madakasira to Penukonda, plunged into a deep valley at Penukonda in Anantapuram district this morning. The accident occurred when the driver of the RTC bus tried to avoid hitting an auto coming in the opposite direction and lost control of the bus. The condition of 8 more students remained critical, according to reports. Most of the injured commuters were admitted to hospitals in Bengaluru, Hindupuram and Madakasira. Police said most of the travelers are students belonging to Penukonda and Roddam Mandals. Senior revenue, police, transport officials have rushed to the spot. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Leader of the Opposition Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy have expressed shock over the accident. The Government has ordered an inquiry into the accident. The government has announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh each to the families of those killed in the accident.