4 killed, 16 injured as van with Ayyappa devotees overturns in Bapatla

BAPATLA: As many as four Ayyappa devotees were killed and 16 others injured after a van they were travelling in overturned at Jampani of Vemuru mandal in Bapatla district on Monday morning.

According to reports, about 23 devotees, who were returning from Sabarimala, got off at Tenali railway station and boarded a Tata ACE van to reach their respective destinations. The van met with the mishap when it overturned at Jampani. Three devotees died on the spot while another succumbed to injuries at the Tenali Government Hospital.

The 16 injured were being treated at the Tenali Government Hospital where the condition of one of them was stated to be critical. The deceased belonged to Nilapudi village of Pedana constituency in Krishna District.