In a horrific accident early Friday morning, at least 20 passengers were killed after a private travel bus caught fire following a collision with a two-wheeler near Chinnatekur village in Kallur mandal of Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh. The bus, belonging to Kaveri Travels, was en route from Hyderabad to Bengaluru when the tragedy occurred around 3:30 am on National Highway 44 (NH-44).

How the Incident Happened

According to preliminary police findings, the two-wheeler got trapped under the bus, striking its fuel tank and triggering a massive explosion that engulfed the vehicle within minutes. Several passengers were reportedly asleep when the bus burst into flames, leaving them little time to escape.

Kurnool Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil told NDTV, “At around 3 am, a bus of Kaveri Travels was going from Hyderabad to Bengaluru. It hit a two-wheeler, and it got stuck under the bus. That probably caused a spark and led to fire.”

Kurnool Collector Dr. A. Siri confirmed that the bus door jammed as wires snapped, making evacuation difficult. “Out of the 41 passengers, 21 were rescued safely. Among the remaining 20, the bodies of 11 have been identified so far. Efforts are underway to identify the rest,” she said.

Rescue and Aftermath

Eyewitnesses said the flames erupted in the front portion of the bus and quickly spread to the rest of the vehicle. Twelve passengers managed to break the emergency exit and escape, sustaining only minor injuries. Locals, who heard passengers crying for help, rushed to assist before the fire department arrived. Four fire engines from Kurnool were deployed to douse the flames, but by the time the blaze was controlled, the bus had been completely gutted.

According to officials, heavy rainfall at the time of the accident may have contributed to the collision. Forensic experts and police teams are investigating the exact cause of the fire. DNA samples are being collected to identify charred bodies. “The bodies are still inside the bus. We are prepared to conduct postmortems at the scene of the incident,” said Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav.

Injured Passengers Under Treatment

Of the survivours, 12 were admitted to Kurnool Government Hospital. Six have since been discharged, while one passenger who sustained serious injuries after jumping from the bus is in stable condition. Another 15 injured are receiving care in government and private hospitals.

Official Response and Condolences

The tragedy has prompted widespread condolences from national and state leaders.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief, stating, “Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

He also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the families of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.

President Droupadi Murmu called the incident “deeply unfortunate,” saying, “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu shared his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), “I am shocked to learn about the devastating bus fire accident near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of those who have lost their loved ones. Government authorities will extend all possible support to the injured and affected families.”

Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy also mourned the loss, describing the tragedy as “extremely distressing” and urged the government to ensure financial assistance and the best possible medical treatment for the injured. Telugu Desam Party General Secretary Nara Lokesh and BRS leader K. T. Rama Rao too offered their condolences, praying for the peace of the departed souls.

Condition of the Vehicle

Transport Minister Ramprasad Reddy stated that officials are reviewing the bus’s maintenance history and compliance. The vehicle, registered in Odisha, was seven years and two months old, with a fitness certificate valid till March 31, 2027.

Recent Similar Incident

This accident comes just ten days after a similar tragedy in Rajasthan, where 20 passengers died when a private bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire. In that incident too, passengers were trapped after the bus door jammed.