In a tragic incident early Thursday, eight people lost their lives and 13 others were injured when an SUV collided with a ready-mix concrete truck near Chilakaladona village in Mantralayam block, Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh. The SUV was carrying 21 devotees from Chikmagalur, Karnataka, en route to the Sri Raghavendra Swamy temple when the accident occurred around 3:30 am. According to police, the SUV driver allegedly lost control, veering into the opposite lane and colliding with the oncoming truck. Five individuals died at the scene, while three others succumbed to their injuries during treatment. The deceased have been identified, including individuals aged from 5 to 60 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced an ex gratia payment of ₹2 lakh (approximately $2,400 USD) for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 (approximately $600 USD) for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. Local officials, including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, assured that the injured would receive the best possible medical care. The injured were initially taken to a government hospital in Yemmiganur, with six later referred to Kurnool Government General Hospital for severe injuries. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident.