Kurnool Bus Accident: Morning Blaze Kills at Least 20, Dozens Injured on Hyderabad-Bengaluru Highway
A devastating bus fire near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh has claimed the lives of at least 20 passengers and left dozens injured. The accident occurred early Friday morning on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru highway near Chinna Tekuru village in Kurnool district.
The Kaveri Travels Volvo bus, carrying approximately 40-43 passengers, was en route from Hyderabad to Bengaluru when it collided with a motorcycle around 3:00 AM to 3:30 AM. The impact of the collision reportedly ruptured the motorcycle's fuel tank, causing a spark that ignited a massive fire. The flames quickly spread throughout the bus, trapping many passengers inside.
Eyewitnesses reported that the fire started at the front of the bus and rapidly engulfed the entire vehicle, leaving little time for passengers to react. Some passengers managed to escape by breaking open windows and using the emergency exit. However, many were trapped and unable to escape the inferno. One survivor, Jayant Kushwaha, recounted the terrifying moments inside the bus, noting that the emergency window was crucial for his escape. Another passenger mentioned that the main door was locked due to a short circuit.
Rescue operations were hampered by heavy rain in the area. Fire personnel and police rushed to the scene to try and rescue the passengers and shift the injured to Kurnool Government Hospital. According to Kurnool District Collector Dr. A. Siri, 21 passengers were rescued.
Initial reports suggest that the bus lacked adequate safety measures to prevent or control such incidents. Authorities have launched an investigation into the accident and are looking into fire safety standards.
The accident has sparked grief and condolences from high-ranking officials. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased, and ₹50,000 for the injured. President Droupadi Murmu also expressed her condolences. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to provide immediate relief to the victims and ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care. The State government has established a dedicated helpline to assist the families of the affected passengers.
This is not the first time a major bus fire has occurred on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru route. A similar incident in 2013, near Palem in Mahbubnagar district, resulted in 45 fatalities. These repeated tragedies raise serious concerns about the safety of private bus operations and the need for stricter enforcement of safety regulations.
The deceased are being identified, and efforts are underway to provide support to the families of the victims. The accident has caused a massive traffic jam on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru highway.
