Two Nellore pilgrims killed in bus accident in Bihar, 15 injured

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Officials examine the remains of the bus, which was carrying 43 pilgrims from SPSR Nellore district to Varanasi, after it was damaged in an accident on NH-2 at Aurangabad in Bihar on Sunday midnight. | Photo Credit: BY ARRANGEMENT

Two out of three pilgrims who lost their lives in a bus accident on National Highway-2 at Aurangabad in Bihar during the early hours of Monday (June 8, 2026) were residents of the SPSR Nellore district. The private travel bus, which was transporting 43 passengers from the Sangam, Atmakur, and Duttalur areas of the district, was en route to Varanasi and other sacred sites.

Speaking to The Hindu, Nellore Additional Superintendent of Police (Admin) Ch. Soujanya said, “The bus belonging to Nandini Travels started from Nellore on June 1, 2026. On the way from Gaya to Varanasi, it collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction on NH-2 at around 1:00 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Three people died on the spot, and 15 others were injured in the accident.”

“Among the deceased were S. Hazarathiah (60-year-old retired driver) and Venkateshwarlu (61-year-old cook), both from Nellore, and a lady pilgrim from Bengaluru. More details are yet to be known. The injured persons were admitted into a nearby hospital, and the district administration is making arrangements to bring the bodies of the deceased to the native place for final rites.”

Collector Himashu Shukla informed that he has spoken to the concerned authorities in Bihar, and the bodies of the deceased will reach Chennai on a special flight on Tuesday, from where they will be transported to Nellore by road. Around 20 pilgrims who suffered minor injuries will also be brought back to the city on the same day. However, it will take a couple of days to transfer 13 injured persons who are receiving treatment there.

Endowments Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy expressed deep shock and sorrow over the death of the pilgrims. As soon as he received the information, he immediately brought it to the attention of Chief Mi