Four Pilgrims Killed, Three Injured in Road Accident Near Kathipudi, Kakinada District

Four Bhavani devotees were killed and three others injured after a speeding SUV ploughed into pilgrims who had stepped off a bus for a tea break near Ravikampadu Centre, close to Kathipudi Junction on National Highway 16 in Kakinada district.

The victims were travelling from Denkada village in Vizianagaram district to Vijayawada to offer prayers to Goddess Kanaka Durga at the Kanaka Durga Temple. According to police, the bus stopped near Ravikampadu Centre at around 5.40 am on Thursday. As the devotees made their way towards a roadside hotel to have tea, an SUV travelling from Visakhapatnam towards Rajamahendravaram struck them.

The impact proved fatal for three devotees, who died at the scene. Another injured person succumbed to their injuries while being taken to hospital. Three others sustained injuries in the accident and were shifted to a hospital for treatment.

Police said the injured included a parcel van driver and the travel bus cleaner. The SUV driver was also reportedly wearing a Bhavani mala and was on his way to Vijayawada. Further details regarding the circumstances leading to the collision were not provided in the initial account.

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan expressed deep anguish over the deaths, describing it as particularly distressing that devotees undertaking a religious journey had lost their lives before reaching their destination.

He conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and contacted the Kakinada District Collector soon after learning about the accident to obtain details. He directed officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and ensure that the injured received the best possible medical treatment.

Assuring the affected families of government support, Pawan Kalyan said the coalition government would stand by them during this difficult time.

State Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha also expressed shock over the tragedy and extended her condolences to the families of the deceased. She wished those injured a speedy recovery and said officials had been instructed to ensure that they received quality medical care.

The accident has cast a shadow over the pilgrims' journey, turning what was meant to be a devotional trip to Vijayawada into a tragedy for the families involved.