On October 26, 2024 at Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh, six devotees lost their lives while returning from Tadipatri. The accident took place near Nayanapalle Cross in Singanamala Mandal when their car, due to a sudden tire burst, went out of control and collided with an oncoming lorry. All six passengers lost their lives at the scene.

The devotees were Sridhar Swamy (30), Shanmukh (26), Santosh (28), Pranav (13), Venkatesh (28), and Prasanna (26). They had traveled to Tadipatri to conduct preaching programs, bringing spiritual inspiration and teachings to the community. During their visit, they organized a Nagar Sankirtana procession, held Bhagavad Gita classes for local students, and visited a nearby school to share teachings and foster a sense of connection within the community.

According to police reports, the accident occurred when a tire on the vehicle burst, causing the driver to lose control. This sudden malfunction sent the vehicle swerving off its course and into the opposite lane, directly into the path of an oncoming lorry. With little time to react, the collision was unavoidable, resulting in the tragic loss of all six occupants in the car. Authorities noted that the abrupt nature of the tire burst made it difficult for the driver to regain control in time to avoid the collision.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his profound grief at the tragic event and pledged support to the families of the deceased devotees. He communicated with officials to gather details on the incident and offered his condolences to the grieving families, extending his sympathies to the Anantapur and ISKCON communities, who are deeply saddened by the loss.

We ask for prayers from the international community of devotees for each of these young men and for their families.

Photo credit: New India Express.