PALNADU — A joyous birthday celebration turned into a devastating tragedy late Monday when a speeding private bus rammed into an auto-rickshaw in Andhra Pradesh’s Palnadu district, killing seven people and critically injuring eight others.

The auto-rickshaw was carrying 15 passengers, including nine women and four children, who were returning home from the festivities when the violent crash occurred along the highway.

Emergency responders swiftly transported the injured survivors to a nearby government hospital for urgent treatment. Following the tragedy, the state Home Minister expressed deep grief and ordered an immediate probe into the accident.