Kurnool: The death toll in the ghastly road accident that took place on the National Highway at Veldurthi Cross Roads in Kurnool district on Saturday night, has gone up to 16.The injured were shifted to the Government General Hospital in Kurnool for treatment and post mortem was carried out on the deceased.

Meanwhile relatives of the victims staged a protest demanding ex gratia for the family members on Sunday. They requested the government to help them and said that they would not allow the bodies to be sent back until their demands were met. They sat down at the gates of the hospital mortuary and even blocked ambulances coming out of the hospital.

Family Members of the deceased at the GGH, Kurnool

They demanded an immediate announcement of ex-gratia from the Telangana government and expressed their ire that the government was acting in a complacent manner.

Deputy Chief Minister (Home) N China Rajappa had earlier spoke to Kurnool district Superintendent of Police K Fakeerappa and enquired about the accident. He asked the SP to ensure better medical care to the injured passengers.

On Saturday night, passengers travelling in a Tata Toofan and two on a motorcycle were killed on the spot when the driver of Volvo bus rammed into a Tata Toofan coming in the opposite direction at Veldurthi Cross Roads in Kurnool district. In the process, the Volvo hit both the motorcycle and also the Toofan on the other side of the road.13 of them died on the spot and passengers in the bus were injured due to the sudden and heavy jerk from the collision.

Fifteen of those who died were from Ramapuram village in Vaddepally mandal of Gadwal district in Telangana and the two other are from Veldurthi. A pall of gloom descended the village, as all of them were relatives and belonged to the same village.

Also Read: 15 Feared Dead In Kurnool As Volvo Bus Rams Into Toofan