Nine tourists die as bus plunges into gorge
Police teams from Maredumilli and Chintoor are actively carrying out rescue efforts, working urgently to assist survivors at the site.
A tragic accident in the early hours of Friday morning shook Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitarama Raju district, as a private travel bus carrying tourists from Chittoor plunged into a gorge inside the dense forests of Papikonda National Park near Tulasipaka village. At least nine tourists were killed on the spot, while three others were pulled out alive with severe injuries. The quiet, mist-covered landscape of the national park turned into the scene of a heartbreaking rescue effort as police and locals rushed to help.
According to preliminary information, 35 tourists were travelling in the bus, which was making an overnight journey from the scenic hill station of Araku Valley. The group had planned to reach Bhadrachalam on Friday morning, part of a longer sightseeing trip that many families from Chittoor undertake during the winter months.
But the journey took a fatal turn around 4 a.m., when the bus reportedly rammed into an obstacle on the narrow, winding forest road. Early investigations point to poor visibility, worsened by heavy fog and the thick canopy of the forest, as the primary cause of the mishap. The impact threw the bus off balance, sending it hurtling down into a gorge before coming to a halt against trees and rocks deep inside the reserve.
The Alluri Sitarama Raju Superintendent of Police’s office confirmed the fatalities shortly after the first responders reached the spot.
“Nine tourists have died on the spot. The rescue operation is on,” officials stated, highlighting the challenges of reaching the crash site in such rugged terrain. The forest roads inside Papikonda National Park are narrow, curvy, and in several stretches without adequate lighting — conditions that become especially tricky before dawn.
Race against time
The moment news of the accident reached nearby stations, police teams from Maredumilli and Chintoor swung into action. Knowing the forest roads well, they navigated the difficult path into the gorge, carrying ropes, stretchers, and first-aid supplies. Local villagers and early-morning forest workers also joined in, helping guide officers to the wreckage.
Rescue teams described heartbreaking scenes—tourists trapped inside the mangled bus, some still holding onto their seats, others thrown out into the thickets. The injured three were pulled out with careful coordination and immediately transported to the nearest hospital for critical care. As daylight slowly emerged, the scale of the tragedy became fully visible, revealing the vast damage caused by the bus’s fall.
A journey that should have brought joy
For the families from Chittoor, the trip had been planned as a refreshing getaway to experience the winter beauty of Araku, its waterfalls, coffee plantations, and winding hill roads. Many victims were believed to be middle-aged or elderly travellers, often the core of such group tours. What began as a cheerful excursion quickly turned into a devastating memory for survivors and relatives back home.
Authorities are now in the process of identifying the deceased and notifying families. Police have also begun documenting passenger details from the travel operator, who may face investigation regarding safety compliance, driver fatigue, and travel timings.
Treacherous terrain and repeated warnings
Papikonda National Park, which spans across parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, is known not only for its biodiversity but also for its treacherous routes. Forest officials have previously issued advisories urging travellers to avoid driving through these patches during late-night and early-morning hours. Visibility in winter often drops to near zero, making it difficult even for experienced drivers to spot obstacles.
The accident has once again put the spotlight on safety measures for tourist vehicles, especially those navigating hilly or forested routes at night. Locals say that while tourism has increased in the region, road upgrades and additional safety markers have not kept pace.
Continuing rescue and recovery
By mid-morning, the rescue operation was continuing, with teams trying to lift the damaged bus from the gorge and recover belongings of the victims. Officials said the process could take several hours due to the depth of the fall and the surrounding thick vegetation.
The district administration is coordinating with medical teams, forest officials, and police personnel to ensure the injured receive the best possible care. Meanwhile, arrangements are being made to transport the bodies back to Chittoor.
As the day unfolds, the shock of the tragedy continues to ripple through both districts. What should have been a simple holiday trip has instead become a painful reminder of the fragile line between adventure and accident on the state’s forest roads.