Ranga Reddy Tragedy: 20 Dead, 18 injured as lorry rams RTC bus in Telangana

Mirzaguda (Ranga Reddy) – A deadly road accident in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy district left 20 people dead and 18 others injured on Monday morning. A lorry loaded with gravel rammed a state-run RTC bus near Mirzaguda village in Chevella mandal, turning a regular morning commute into chaos.

The RTC bus from Tandur depot carried around 70 passengers bound for Hyderabad. Most were students and office-goers returning after the weekend. Around 7:30 am, a speeding lorry from the opposite direction lost control and collided head-on with the bus. The impact crushed the front of both vehicles. The lorry overturned, spilling its gravel load onto the bus and trapping several passengers inside.

Locals heard screams and rushed to the site. They began rescuing passengers even before emergency teams arrived. Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic—crying victims, shattered glass, and overturned seats.

Within minutes, police, fire services, and disaster teams reached the spot. They used three JCB excavators to remove debris and pull out the injured. Chevella police confirmed that both drivers died on the spot along with several women and a ten-month-old infant and its mother.

Rescue workers faced a tough challenge clearing the wreckage. Chevella Circle Inspector Bhupal Sridhar suffered a leg injury during the operation and was admitted to the local hospital.

The injured were first taken to the Chevella Government Hospital. Those in critical condition were later shifted to Hyderabad for better treatment. Officials fear the death toll could rise as several victims remain serious.

Traffic came to a standstill on the Hyderabad–Bijapur highway following the crash. Vehicles queued for several kilometres along the Chevella–Vikarabad stretch. Police diverted traffic to ease congestion and continued clearing the site through the afternoon.

Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep grief over the tragedy. He instructed Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao and DGP B. Shivadhar Reddy to oversee immediate rescue operations. The Chief Minister also ordered that all injured be shifted to Hyderabad without delay.

He directed district officials to remain on-site and ensure swift relief measures. In a telephonic review, Revanth Reddy asked departments to mobilize ambulances, emergency medical teams, and paramedical staff. “Every life matters. Rescue efforts must continue without pause,” he said.

Preliminary investigations point to overspeeding and loss of control by the lorry driver. Police are verifying CCTV footage and speaking with survivors to confirm the sequence of events.

By evening, authorities cleared most of the wreckage. Buses resumed partial movement on the highway. Yet, the mangled remains of the RTC bus stood as a grim reminder of the morning’s horror.

Local residents demanded stricter speed checks on the route, citing frequent accidents on the stretch. Police promised tougher patrolling and road-safety measures to prevent such tragedies in future.