Amaravati, July 3 (IANS) At least four people were killed and seven others seriously injured after a speeding truck rammed into a wedding party in Andhra Pradesh’s Markapuram district in the early hours of Friday.

The accident occurred near Cumbum in Markapuram district on the Amaravati-Anantapur national highway when the truck hit an auto-rickshaw carrying the wedding party.

The bride escaped with injuries, but four of her relatives lost their lives, and some others were injured.

The wedding party, comprising 14 members, had started from Giddalur town and was on its way to Cumbum. The auto-rickshaw was stopped by the roadside past midnight as the members of the wedding party wanted to perform puja at a temple. In the meantime, a speeding truck rammed into their vehicle.

Three persons died on the spot, while a child succumbed to her injuries at a hospital.

Seven others were injured in the accident. Police shifted them to a hospital at Cumbum and later to the nearby Markapurama hospital, where the condition of some of them is stated to be critical.

The deceased were identified as Alakananda (19), Ankalu (20), the bride’s brother Nagesh, and two-year-old Nagalakshmi.

Among the injured is the bride’s mother, Veerakka, whose condition is reported to be critical.

Tragedy struck the family a few hours before the wedding scheduled at Cumbum.

Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy expressed his grief over the road accident, which claimed four lives.

He stated that the accident, which occurred amidst wedding festivities, has left him deeply distressed. The minister expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased.

The minister directed medical officials to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care. He wished for the speedy recovery of all the injured.

The transport minister said that the government will extend all possible assistance to the affected families.

He also advised travellers to remain constantly vigilant to prevent the recurrence of such tragic incidents.

–IANS

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