A massive fire broke out in a bus in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh

A sleeper bus caught fire in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The bus was traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru. The bus caught fire after colliding with a two-wheeler, tragically killing 20 people.

The accident occurred around 4 a.m. A motorcyclist was among the deceased, a police officer said. According to preliminary information, the bus was carrying approximately 41 people when a motorcycle collided with the bus and, with its fuel cap open, was dragged underneath the bus, causing the fire.

Key facts about the accident

• The bus was traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru. Approximately 41 people were on board. The private Volvo bus left for Bengaluru at midnight. Around 4 a.m., as the bus approached Kurnool on National Highway 44 (NH-44), it collided with a two-wheeler. Police believe the motorcycle became stuck in the rear of the bus, creating a spark that ignited the fire.
• According to initial reports, the bus was carrying 41 passengers. The driver fled the scene after the accident. Twenty people have lost their lives in the accident. Since the bus was air-conditioned, people tried to escape by breaking the glass, but many were unsuccessful.
  As the flames intensified, 12 passengers managed to escape with minor injuries by breaking the emergency exit. The injured were taken to Kurnool Government Hospital for treatment.
• Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said his government would provide all possible assistance to the injured and affected families. He wrote in a post on X, “I am shocked to learn about the terrible bus fire accident near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district. My deepest condolences are with the families who lost their loved ones.”
• Following instructions from BJP state president PVN Madhav, BJP leaders rushed to the accident site. Nine injured passengers are currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. The bus was completely destroyed in the fire.