Eight pilgrims die in Andhra road accident

Hyderabad: Eight pilgrims were killed and six injured when their vehicle collided with a truck in Andhra Pradesh's Nellore district early Saturday, police said. The dead and the injured belonged to the same family.

The dead, including two children, and the injured belong to same family which was on its way from Kadapa district for 'rottela panduga' or festival or 'rotis' in Nellore district.

The injured were admitted to district government hospital at Nellore, where the condition of two of them is stated to be critical.

The accident occurred near Venkatachalam toll plaza on national highway 5 (NH5) when the Tata Sumo collided with a truck coming from opposite direction. While six people were killed on the spot, two others died at the hospital, a police official said.

The family hailing from Rayachoti in Kadapa district was on its way to 'Bara Shaheed dargah' at Gandavaram in Nellore district for the annual festival. During the three-day unique festival, pilgrims exchange 'rotis' with each other in the hope that this will fulfill their desires.

Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy expressed shock and directed Nellore district collector to ensure best possible treatment and all help to the injured.