In a ghastly road accident, that occurred on National Highway-16 at Gandepalli, near Rajahmundry, in the small hours on Monday, 16 laborers were killed and 10 injured, when the truck, they were travelling overturned. All the injured were shifted to Rajahmundry Government Hospital and their condition was stated to be out of danger.

All the deceased were daily wage labourers and had been to Chintalapudi mandal in neighboring West Godavari District on work about 20 days ago. The tragedy struck when they were returning home from the work. All the workers belonged to the villages of Thondangi, Prattipadu and Sankhavaram mandals in East Godavari District. According Police the accident occurred when the lorry was proceeding to Visakhapatnam from Dachepalli, Guntur District. 16 people, who were buried under ash, have been rescued by locals. The workers boarded ash-filled lorry near Eluru by-pass road on the Highway and sat on top of ash.

The lorry capsized, around 2.30 am, when the driver applied sudden break to stop the vehicle while moving at high speed. The vehicle went out of control as the road was slippery due to drizzle. The application of sudden break, jolted the workers from the lorry to the ground along with the ash and many of them fell under the wheels and got crushed. However, the driver and cleaner of the lorry could escape unhurt.

On the information from locals, the Gandepalli police and Jaggampeta Inspector GVV Satyanarayana rushed to the spot and started rescue operations. Finance minister Yanamala Ramakrishnudu reached the spot at around 6 am and announced Rs 2 lakh exgratia to the bereaved families.

Chief minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock at the accident in which 18 perished. He held a teleconference with all district officials concerned and directed to arrange best treatment to the victims. He asked the transport officials and police to study the accident meticulously as a case study in order to ensure that no such tragedies occurred in future.