PM Modi offers condolences to the families of deceased in AP accident

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed pain over the loss of lives in a road mishap in Andhra Pradesh.

"Pained by the loss of lives due to an accident in AP's Chittoor dist. Condolences to families of the deceased & prayers with the injured," he tweeted.

A truck rammed into a group of protesters outside a police station in Chittoor this afternoon, resulting in the death of 13 people and injuries to 18, who included some police officers.

The injured persons were taken to Ruia Hospital in Tirupati.

A group of about 50 people had come to the police station to submit a petition against the illegal sand mining in the Swarnamukhi river and the police officers were talking to them when the driver of a truck passing by the police station apparently lost control over the vehicle, which hit an electrical pole on the Putalapattu-Nayudupeta state road.

The truck then ran into shops on the roadside, trampling at least six persons to death.
As the electrical wires got snapped, some people in the vicinity got electrocuted. It also caused a minor fire which was doused immediately.

The truck driver and his assistant, who were suspected to be drunk, fled from the spot, the police said.