Andhra Pradesh, India (BBN)-22 people have died after a van fell into a barrage near Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari district early on Saturday.
Eight women and seven children are among the victims. Only a 12-year-old child survived the accident and is admitted in hospital, reports NDTV.
The van, carrying pilgrims, was returning from Tirupati. It plunged 25-30 feet into the Dowleswaram barrage in the early hours.
A police official at the spot said, "a group of people were returning from Tirupati after visiting the temple. The vehicle driver appeared to have lost control and hit a wall of the bridge and fell off into Gaodavari River."
However, the water-level at the point of accident was very shallow, he added.
"Deeply saddened about tragic death of 21 people travelling in a van after it fell off Dowleswaram bridge. I'm monitoring the situation. The kid, a lone survivor, is undergoing treatment. Spoke to our Home Minister who visited the spot. We're providing all possible help, (sic)" Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said in a series of tweets.
All the victims are from Achyutapuram near Visakhapatnam.
BBN/SK/AD