Truck loses control in Andhra Pradesh, kills more than a dozen

April 23, 2017

More than fifteen people were killed near the police station in, Andhra Pradesh, India after a heavily loaded truck lost control on Friday afternoon at about 1:45 P.M. (0815 ).

People, mostly from the village of, were gathered to protest local illegal sand mining. The truck hit an electric pole, and destroyed nearby shops and vehicles causing a short-circuit and fire. Urban Superintendent of Police R Jayalakshmi said the truck crushed some people under its wheels; six people were killed that way according to deputy superintendent KS Nanjndappa. Other people died due to the short circuit and the fire. More than fifteen people were injured including the police station's chief inspector and the sub-inspector. Reportedly at least ten were in a critical condition.

The driver fled after the accident. Victims were taken to hospitals in Tirupati, and Chennai and in Tamil Nadu. , Andhra's Chief Minister, said via Twitter, "State Cabinet has announced a compensation of 5 lakh [0.5 million] to the families of the deceased."