Telangana bus tragedy: Rahul offers condolences

"I'm sorry to hear about the death of over 40 pilgrims in a road accident in Jagtial, Telangana. Congress party workers in the area must provide all necessary assistance to those in need of help. My thoughts & prayers are with the injured & the families of those who have died," he said on Twitter.

The toll in one of the worst highway tragedies in the state has since increased to 52.

An overcrowded state-run bus swerved off the road and hurtled down the hillside into a valley in Telangana's Jagtial district Tuesday, killing 52 people and wounding 20 others, police said.

The deceased included 36 women and some of the victims were pilgrims returning to Jagtial from the temple town of Kondagattu after offering prayers at the famous Hanuman temple.

The accident involving the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) bus occurred near Shanivarapet village, about 200 km from state capital Hyderabad.