- At least 20 people died after a luxury bus caught fire in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
- The bus collided with a two-wheeler on National Highway 44 around 3:30 am
- The fire likely started from a spark caused by the two-wheeler trapped under the bus
Twenty people have died after a luxury bus caught fire and turned into ashes after it hit a two-wheeler in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool in the early hours of Friday. The bus travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru had 43 people on board. The bus accident occurred near Ullindakonda in Kurnool district.
The bus began its journey from Hyderabad around midnight, and when it reached near Kurnool on National Highway 44 (NH-44), at around 3:30 am, it met with an accident with a two-wheeler. The two-wheeler got stuck under the belly of the bus, causing a spark, the police suspect.
Speaking to NDTV, Kurnool Collector, Dr A Siri, said bus door jammed as wires snapped.
Initial reports suggest that the fire engulfed the bus within minutes.
"At around 3 am, a bus of Kaveri travels was going from Hyderabad to Bengaluru. It hit a two-wheeler, and it got stuck under the bus. That probably caused a spark and led to fire," said Vikrant Patil, Superintendent of Police, Kurnool while speaking to NDTV. "The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team is here and ascertaining the exact cause of the fire. Since it was an AC bus, passengers had to break open the windows. Whoever could break open the glass managed to escape."
According to the passenger list, there were atleast 40 people on board along with a driver and bus staff. At the time of the accident several people were asleep and might have faced difficulty in exiting the fire.
After noticing the fire, some passengers broke windows and jumped out of the bus. The FSL team is looking for anyone who might have been left behind.
Of the 23 passengers who have been rescued or managed to escape the fire, 15 people are receiving treatment at the government and private hospitals. They largely suffered injuries due to jumping out of the bus.
Nineteen people died in the fire.
The visuals from the ground show the charred bus.
"The bus burnt within two to three minutes," said Byreddy Shabari, Nandyal TDP MP. "We have an eyewitness, who was coming from the opposite direction. He tried to rescue, but couldn't help because within minutes the bus exploded. We could save about 19 people."
It is difficult to identify some of the victims as the "bodies are completely burnt. We are trying our best," said Shabari.
Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha and Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy visited the site and said a comprehensive investigation is underway. They said the government plans to establish a high-powered committee, comprising officials from the transport, police, and revenue departments, to come up with a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for bus speeds on highways.
Reddy said that while newer buses are being equipped with automatic fire alarm systems, the bus involved in the accident was 7 years old and lacked this safety feature.
"Discussions have been held with Telangana and Karnataka transport ministers to create unified safety guidelines. The state is also coordinating with the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to ensure such tragedies are not repeated," he said.
Bus burnt within minutes of hitting a bike on NH-44.
According to the vehicle information, the bus, registered in Odisha, was seven years and two months old. It had fittness certificate valid till March 31, 2027.
Grief Pour In
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "extremely saddened" by the loss of lives in Kurnool bus fire. "My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured," PM Modi wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
PM Modi announced financial support of Rs 2 lakh to the family of those who died in the fire. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000, he added.
Reacting to the "deeply unfortunate" incident, President Droupadi Murmu said, "I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured."
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu extended condolences to the families of the victims and assured government support.
"I am shocked to learn about the devastating bus fire accident near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of those who have lost their loved ones. Government authorities will extend all possible support to the injured and affected families," Naidu wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has expressed deep shock and grief over the tragic bus accident in which several passengers were burnt alive. In a statement, Reddy said the incident was extremely distressing and has deeply shaken him. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the accident.
Reddy urged the government to extend financial assistance and support to the families of the victims and ensure the best possible medical care for the injured passengers undergoing treatment in hospitals.
Lokesh Nara, General Secretary, Telugu Desam Party also extended "deepest sympathies" to the families who have lost loved ones. He wished for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president, KT Rama Rao, "prays for the peace of the departed souls."
10 Days Ago When Brand New Bus Caught Fire On Rajasthan Highway
Twenty people were burnt alive in a horrific tragedy on October 15 afternoon when a private bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur in Rajasthan caught fire. Police said the bus, carrying 57 passengers, left Jaisalmer around 3 pm. On the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway, smoke began emerging from the rear portion. The driver stopped the bus along the roadside, but within moments, the flames engulfed the vehicle.
Eyewitnesses have said that when the passengers tried to escape through the lone door, they found it jammed.
