22 killed in Andhra as vehicle falls into river

Hyderabad, June 13 (IANS) Twenty two pilgrims, including six children, were killed on Saturday when the multi utility vehicle (MUV) they were travelling in fell into Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh, police said.

The accident took place in East Godavari district when the vehicle fell off Dowleswaram bridge across the river in the early hours of the day.

The dead, all relatives, include nine women and six children. The rescue workers saved a 13-year-old child.

The victims from Achutapuram village of Visakhapatnam district were returning after a pilgrimage to Tirupati.

A police officer said the vehicle hit parapet wall before falling into the river at a depth of 25 to 30 feet. As there was no water, almost all people died on the spot due to the impact of the crash.

While 21 people, including driver died on the spot, one person succumbed at the hospital.

Police said negligence led to the accident. The vehicle was carrying 23 people as against its capacity of 12.

Police received the information about the accident around 5 a.m. The accident is believed to have occurred after midnight.