Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh): A devastating road accident in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district has claimed at least 20 lives after a private bus caught fire following a collision with a bike early Friday morning. The tragic incident took place near Chinna Tekuru village, leaving the entire region in shock and mourning.
According to police officials, the ill-fated bus, belonging to Kaveri Travels, was traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru with nearly 40 passengers on board. Around 5 a.m., the bus reportedly collided with a motorcycle on the highway. The impact triggered a massive fire that quickly engulfed the entire vehicle, trapping passengers inside before they could escape.
Eyewitnesses said the flames spread within seconds, and thick smoke covered the road. Locals rushed to help and tried breaking windows to rescue those trapped, but the intensity of the fire made it nearly impossible to save everyone. By the time fire and police teams reached the spot, most of the bus had been reduced to ashes.
Firefighters managed to control the blaze after an hour-long operation. Rescuers recovered multiple charred bodies from the bus, and several injured passengers were rushed to the Kurnool Government Hospital. Authorities fear that the death toll may rise as some of the injured are in critical condition.
Kurnool District Collector and senior police officials visited the site and supervised the rescue operation. Initial reports suggest that the collision led to a fuel leak, which might have triggered the explosion. Forensic teams have been deployed to examine the exact cause of the fire.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who is currently in Dubai on an official visit, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives. He has been in constant touch with officials and has directed them to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured and immediate assistance to the families of the deceased. Naidu also ordered a detailed inquiry into the accident and asked the transport department to review safety measures for long-distance private buses operating in the state.
The state government has announced ex-gratia compensation for the victims’ families. A control room has been set up in Kurnool to assist relatives and coordinate rescue information.
The horrifying incident has once again raised serious questions about road safety and vehicle maintenance standards in India. Locals and commuters have demanded stricter enforcement of safety regulations for both private travel operators and highway monitoring systems.
As rescue operations continue, the charred remains of the bus stand as a grim reminder of how a single moment of negligence can turn into an unimaginable tragedy.
