In yet another tragic incident, at least 12 people confirmed lost their lives when a private Volvo bus was engulfed in flames in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, on the night between Thursday and Friday. The bus,
carrying 41 passengers, was travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru at the time of the accident.
Preliminary police investigations suggest that the Bengaluru-Hyderabad bus caught fire after colliding with a motorcycle on National Highway 44 in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, in the early hours of Friday, October 24. The collision caused the motorcycle’s fuel tank to rupture and leak fuel. The resulting friction and spark from the two-wheeler trapped under the bus are believed to have ignited the fire.
Nearly 40 passengers were trapped inside the vehicle as the blaze spread rapidly. Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause of the fire and are examining all aspects of the tragic incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep condolences over the Kurnool tragedy. He extended his thoughts to the affected families and prayed for the recovery of the injured. An ex gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh will go to each deceased’s family, and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
What we know about the incident – 7 points
1. The tragedy occurred early morning near Chinna Tekuru village in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, when a private Kaveri Travels Volvo bus traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru collided with a two-wheeler around 3:30 am, which caused the two-wheeler to get stuck under the bus and sparked a fire that rapidly engulfed the vehicle.
2. At least 20 people are feared dead with several others injured. Around 12 to 15 passengers managed to escape by breaking windows or emergency exits, many with burn injuries.
3. The bus fire spread quickly, and the bus doors got jammed, trapping most passengers inside. The fire was intensified by combustible materials inside the bus, but the bus’s fuel tank remained intact. Firefighters and police reached the scene shortly after, extinguished the flames, and began recovery operations at dawn. Cooling operations and victim identification are ongoing.
4. Rescue operations were hindered by heavy rain in the area, and the bus crew, including the driver, reportedly fled the scene immediately after the accident. The injured were rushed to Kurnool Government Hospital for treatment.
5. According to eyewitness, most people were asleep when the bus hit the bike. The flames quickly spread due to synthetic materials inside the bus, and the doors were jammed shut. Survivors said smoke filled the bus within moments, causing people to suffocate or lose consciousness before escape was possible.
6. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep condolences, ordered immediate relief and medical assistance for the injured, and a formal investigation into the cause is underway. This incident follows a recent similar deadly bus fire in Rajasthan, raising concerns about safety protocols for private long-distance buses.
7. The injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals, with 11 and 15 passengers admitted to Kurnool Government General Hospital suffering from burns and smoke inhalation. At least three victims were transferred to nearby private hospitals, including Colonel Sarkar Hospital, for specialised burn care due to the severity of their injuries and limited ICU capacity at the government facility. Officials stated that all patients have been stabilised, with special medical teams closely monitoring those with over 50% burn injuries. Efforts to identify severely injured victims and coordinate with their families are ongoing.
