16 pupils die as bus falls into canal

Hyderabad: At least 16 school pupils died and 18 others were injured when a bus carrying them fell into a canal in the Khammam district yesterday afternoon.

The LV Reddy school bus in Vepalagandla village crashed when the driver, trying to avoid a speeding bike coming in the opposite direction, lost control and fell from a bridge into the canal.

The accident occurred in Raghavapuram village under Chandrugandu mandal near Kottagudem. The bus was carrying 40 children to drop them to their respective villages.

Rescue teams rushed to help the local administration. According to the police, 18 children were injured and have been admitted to different hospitals in the area.

Chief minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy expressed his deep shock and anguish over the accident and directed the district collector to take immediate steps to provide all the necessary assistance to the accident victims.

He also asked the officials to render all assistance to the families of the deceased children. He called for an enquiry into the incident and a detailed report.