Kurnool: 32 passengers charred to death as Hyderabad–Bengaluru bus catches fire

Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh): A horrific tragedy struck early Friday morning when a private Kaaveri Travels bus travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru collided with a bike near Chinna Tekuru village in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district and went up in flames.

The massive fire engulfed the entire bus, killing at least 32 passengers, most of whom were asleep at the time of the accident. Only 12 passengers managed to break the windows and escape, though several of them suffered serious burn injuries. Preliminary reports indicate that sparks from the collision set off the blaze, which spread rapidly through the air-conditioned vehicle.

According to Kurnool SP Vikrant Patil, the bike got trapped under the bus after the collision, triggering an inferno within seconds. “The impact was so severe that both the bus and the motorcycle caught fire almost instantly,” he said.

The bus was carrying over 40 passengers. Those seated near the exit tried to douse the flames using water bottles, but their efforts failed as thick smoke quickly filled the vehicle. Panic spread as passengers struggled to escape the locked AC compartment.

Fire and rescue teams, along with local police and NDRF personnel, rushed to the scene to extinguish the flames and recover bodies. The charred remains of the bus were later pulled to the roadside.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, directing officials to ensure immediate medical care for the injured and compensation for the victims’ families.

This incident comes barely a week after a similar bus inferno in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer claimed 22 lives. The Kurnool tragedy has once again raised serious questions about passenger safety, maintenance standards, and emergency preparedness in private long-distance buses.

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