Khammam, June 8: At least 22 passengers were injured after a private travel bus overturned on a railway bridge in Telangana’s Khammam district late on Sunday night. The accident occurred on the Kothalankapalli railway bridge under the jurisdiction of Penballi Police Station, prompting a swift rescue operation by police and emergency response teams.
According to police officials, the bus was carrying 36 passengers when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle while crossing the bridge. The bus overturned on the roadway, leaving several passengers trapped inside and injured. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Local residents, police personnel, and emergency responders rushed to the scene immediately after the accident. Rescue teams worked to evacuate passengers from the overturned bus and provide first aid before shifting the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities said around 22 to 23 passengers sustained injuries, though no fatalities have been reported so far.
A Khammam police official confirmed that all injured passengers were transported to medical facilities and are receiving treatment. Medical staff are monitoring their condition, and most injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening. Some passengers, however, suffered more serious injuries and remain under observation.
Preliminary reports suggest that the bus may have lost balance while navigating the bridge, though investigators are also examining factors such as road conditions, vehicle condition, driver fatigue, and possible overspeeding. Officials have not ruled out any possibility and are awaiting a detailed technical assessment.
The incident once again highlights concerns over road safety involving long-distance private buses. Accidents involving passenger buses continue to occur across several states due to a combination of human error, poor road conditions, and vehicle maintenance issues. Authorities have repeatedly stressed the importance of adhering to safety regulations and ensuring that commercial passenger vehicles undergo regular inspections.
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation into the accident. Officials are expected to question the driver and examine the vehicle to determine the precise sequence of events that led to the bus overturning on the railway bridge. Meanwhile, traffic movement in the area was restored after the damaged bus was removed from the site.
