7 killed, 6 injured as private bus collides with auto-rickshaw in Andhra Pradesh

Seven people were killed and six others injured after a private bus collided with an auto-rickshaw near Kala Mandir Junction in Palnadu district in the early hours of Thursday, police said.

The accident took place around 1 am when the bus was travelling towards Tirupati. The driver had stopped near the Chilakaluripet bypass to pick up a passenger before continuing towards Narasaraopet bus stand.

According to Narasaraopet Deputy Superintendent of Police M Hanumanth Rao, the bus collided with the auto-rickshaw near Kala Mandir Junction shortly after leaving the bypass.

Police said the auto-rickshaw moved onto the wrong side of the road and came into the path of the bus, which was travelling at around 40 kmph.

Four people died at the scene, while three others succumbed to their injuries after being taken to hospital.

Six injured people were admitted to hospital for treatment. Police are investigating the accident and the circumstances that led to the collision.