TELANGANA: At least 20 people were killed and several others injured when a passenger bus collided head-on with a gravel-laden truck on the Hyderabad–Bijapur highway early Monday morning.

The crash occurred near Rangareddy district, about 60 km from Hyderabad.

The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) bus, carrying around 70 passengers from Tandur in Vikarabad district to Hyderabad, was hit by the truck loaded with construction gravel.

The impact caused the gravel to spill into the bus, burying passengers under the debris.

According to officials, the victims include a 10-month-old baby, 10 women, and both drivers. Several injured passengers were rushed to nearby hospitals, and some are reported to be in critical condition.

Rescue workers described heart-wrenching scenes as survivors screamed for help from beneath the gravel, while teams struggled to cut through the mangled bus to reach the victims.

The front section and six rear rows of the bus were completely crushed, where most fatalities occurred on the spot.

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep sorrow and directed authorities to provide immediate assistance to the injured and the families of the deceased.

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has ordered a detailed probe and instructed hospital officials to ensure proper treatment.

Opposition leader K.T. Rama Rao (KTR) also offered condolences, urging the government to ensure compensation, best possible medical care for survivors, and a full investigation into the causes of the crash.

Rescue and relief operations are ongoing, while authorities are clearing the wreckage to restore traffic on the busy highway.