Seven Labourers Killed as Mini Truck Overturns in Andhra Pradesh

Godavari: Seven labourers lost their lives, and two others were injured when a mini truck they were travelling in overturned in Andhra Pradesh’s East Godavari district in the early hours of Wednesday, police said.

The tragic accident occurred around 2 a.m. at Chilakavaripakalu village on the Aripatidibbalu-Chinnaigudem road in Devarapalli Mandal. The truck, carrying nine passengers, was transporting cashew nuts from Borrampalem village in T Narasapuram block of Eluru district to Tadimalla village when the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to overturn.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Deva Kumar stated that seven labourers were trapped under heavy cashew nut sacks and died on the spot due to suffocation. The victims have been identified as Deva Bhatula Bureya (40), Tamireddy Sathyanarayana (45), P Chinamusalayya (35), Katava Krishna (40), Katava Sathipandu (40), Tadi Krishna (45), and Bokka Prasad (40), all from Tadimalla village.

"The truck veered off the road and overturned after the driver apparently lost control over the steering. Seven of the labourers were trapped under the load of cashew nut bags, and two others sustained injuries,” the DSP said. The injured were rushed to Nidadavole government hospital for treatment.

Following the incident, the driver of the truck fled the scene. The police have registered a case and launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident and locate the driver.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and directed authorities to provide the best possible treatment to the injured. He assured the families that the government would extend support during this difficult time.