22 Dead After Van Falls in Dowleswaram Barrage in Andhra Pradesh

22 people have died after a van fell into a barrage near Rajahmundry in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari district early this morning.

Eight women and seven children are among the victims. Only a 12-year-old child survived the accident and is admitted in hospital.

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 Godavari 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.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "Loss of lives due to a bus accident in East Godavari district, AP is saddening & unfortunate. My deepest condolences. (sic)"

All the victims are from Achyutapuram near Visakhapatnam.