Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh), Oct 24: At least 20 people, including a biker, were killed when a Bengaluru-bound private bus from Hyderabad caught fire after colliding with a two-wheeler near Chinnatekur village in Kurnool district early Friday, police said.
Officials said several victims were charred beyond recognition, prompting forensic teams to collect DNA samples for identification. The tragedy occurred late at night when most passengers were asleep, leaving little time to escape the burning vehicle.
According to initial reports, the motorcycle collided with the bus and was dragged underneath, its open fuel cap sparking a massive blaze that engulfed the bus within minutes.
“So far, 19 bodies have been retrieved from the charred vehicle, while the biker’s body is in the mortuary,” said Kurnool Range DIG Koya Praveen, adding that the final death toll may rise as investigations continue.
The bus door jammed due to a short circuit, trapping passengers inside. Police said the vehicle was completely gutted before emergency services could arrive. Most of the survivors, aged between 25 and 35 years, managed to jump out of windows to safety.
District Collector A Siri confirmed that 41 people, including the driver, were travelling in the bus. “Of these, 21 have been traced. Those who survived are stable and out of danger,” she said. Many passengers hailed from Hyderabad, she added.
Authorities said the bus lacked fire safety measures, exposing major lapses in compliance and emergency preparedness. DIG Praveen stressed that stringent action should be taken against operators failing to follow safety protocols.
In the wake of the tragedy, President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, and Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives.
President Murmu called the accident “deeply unfortunate” and offered condolences to the bereaved families. Prime Minister Modi said he was “extremely saddened” by the incident and announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each from the PMNRF to the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said he had spoken to district officials and assured all possible assistance to the injured and victims’ families. Telangana CM A. Revanth Reddy directed senior officials from Gadwal district to visit the site and coordinate relief measures, while also setting up a helpline for victims’ families.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar also expressed condolences, describing the fire as a “tragic loss of innocent lives.” (Agencies)
