Officials examine the remains of the bus, which was carrying 43 pilgrims from SPSR Nellore district to Varanasi, after it was damaged in an accident on NH-2 at Aurangabad in Bihar on Sunday midnight.
| Photo Credit: BY ARRANGEMENT
Two out of three pilgrims who lost their lives in a bus accident on National Highway-2 at Aurangabad in Bihar during the early hours of Monday (June 8, 2026) were residents of the SPSR Nellore district. The private travel bus, which was transporting 43 passengers from the Sangam, Atmakur, and Duttalur areas of the district, was en route to Varanasi and other sacred sites.Speaking to The Hindu, Nellore Additional Superintendent of Police (Admin) Ch. Soujanya said, “The bus belonging to Nandini Travels started from Nellore on June 1, 2026. On the way from Gaya to Varanasi, it collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction on NH-2 at around 1:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Three people died on the spot, and 15 others were injured in the accident.”“Among the deceased were S. Hazarathiah (60-year-old retired driver) and Venkateshwarlu (61-year-old cook), both from Nellore, and a lady pilgrim from Bengaluru. More details are yet to be known. The injured persons were admitted into a nearby hospital, and the district administration is making arrangements to bring the bodies of the deceased to the native place for final rites.”Collector Himashu Shukla informed that he has spoken to the concerned authorities in Bihar, and the bodies of the deceased will reach Chennai on a special flight on Tuesday, from where they will be transported to Nellore by road. Around 20 pilgrims who suffered minor injuries will also be brought back to the city on the same day. However, it will take a couple of days to transfer 13 injured persons who are receiving treatment there.Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy expressed deep shock and sorrow over the death of the pilgrims. As soon as he received the information, he immediately brought it to the attention of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, who contacted the Bihar government officials to take necessary emergency measures on a war-footing basis.Mr. Anam said, “It is extremely tragic that a private bus with 43 pilgrims from Atmakur constituency met with an accident, while visiting holy places of Gaya and Varanasi. My deepest condolences to the family members of the three deceased. It is a great loss for the affected families. I wish speedy recovery to the pilgrims injured in the accident.”He said the State government authorities are continuously monitoring the injured pilgrims to ensure that they receive the necessary medical services. He assured that the government will stand by the affected families in every way during this difficult time and will take steps to provide necessary assistance and cooperation.MA&UD Minister Ponguru Narayana expressed condolences to the families of the deceased. Responding to the news of the accident, he consulted with Bihar authorities. He said that the government is making all the arrangements to fully support the injured pilgrims.Former Chief Minister and YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed his deepest condolences to the family members of the deceased. He prayed that God would grant the families who lost their loved ones the courage to bear this immense tragedy. Published - June 08, 2026 07:59 pm IST
