Nine farm workers k!lled by crates of mangoes in India

Nine farm workers were killed and ten others critically injured when a lorry carrying mangoes to a pulp industry overturned late Sunday night near Reddipalle Cheruvu in Pullampeta mandal, Rajampeta division of Annamayya district in India. The accident occurred on July 13, 2025, when the overloaded lorry, en route from Rajampeta to Railway Kodur, lost control and turned turtle while negotiating a hairpin bend near the Reddipalli village tank. At the time of the crash, the vehicle was carrying about 40 tonnes of mangoes, well beyond its load capacity, with twenty workers seated atop the fruit crates. According to the Railway Kodur police, the drivers negligence and reckless driving are suspected to have caused the crash. Preliminary investigations revealed that the lorry lost stability on the curve, leading to its overturning. Crates of mangoes fell onto the workers, crushing eight of them to death instantly. A ninth worker succumbed at the scene shortly after.  The deceased, all residents of Settigunta village in Railway Kodur mandal, were engaged in mango harvesting. The ten injured were transported to the government area hospital in Rajampet for emergency medical care. The tragic incident sparked swift responses from local authorities and political leaders. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed profound shock over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the bereaved families. TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy also conveyed their sympathies, calling for improved road safety measures and worker protections. Rescue operations, carried out by the police with the help of local residents, stretched into the early hours of Monday. An earth mover was deployed to lift the wreckage and recover those trapped beneath the vehicle and debris. District in-charge minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy visited the Rajampet hospital and held discussions with medical officials and district authorities. He directed that quality medical attention be provided to the injured and assured that those requiring more advanced care would be transferred to corporate hospitals. He also pledged government support for the families affected by the tragedy.The post Nine farm workers k!lled by crates of mangoes in India appeared first on Linda Ikeji Blog.