Kurnool: A devastating tragedy struck on the morning of October 24 in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district when a private Volvo bus traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru was gutted by a horrific fire, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 people and leaving several others injured. The incident occurred near Chinnatekur in Kallur mandal between 3:00 am and 3:10 am.
The bus was carrying 41 passengers, including two drivers. Officials reported that the fire was ignited when the bus collided with a motorbike, causing the bike to get stuck underneath and its petrol to leak, subsequently catching fire. Kurnool District Collector A Siri confirmed that 11 bodies have been recovered and identified, with the remaining nine still to be accounted for. The total count of the deceased is yet to be fully confirmed.
The District Collector elaborated on the harrowing circumstances, stating that the bus doors failed to open after the collision, effectively trapping sleeping passengers inside. The two drivers, however, managed to escape the burning vehicle. Out of the 41 members on board, 21 passengers have been confirmed safe, while 21 others sustained minor injuries and are currently undergoing treatment. Authorities have established a control room to assist in tracing the deceased passengers’ family members.
A fire official confirmed the sequence of events, explaining that the collision with the bike led to a petrol leak that sparked the blaze. The official also noted that the driver did not stop after the collision and, critically, there were no safety hammers available to break the bus windows, hindering escape. While the bus’s diesel tank did not ignite, the entire vehicle was completely destroyed. Despite the catastrophic outcome, 12 passengers managed to escape the inferno by breaking open the emergency exit before the flames fully engulfed the vehicle. The injured were transported to Kurnool Government Hospital, where nine remain admitted for treatment. Heavy rainfall was reported in the area at the time of the incident. Investigations into the precise cause of the collision and subsequent fire are ongoing.
Political leaders across the country expressed their profound grief over the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his condolences on X, stating he was “Extremely saddened by the loss of lives,” and announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased, and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Union Minister of State for Home Affairs expressed sorrow, describing the loss of “over 20 innocent passengers” as “heartbreaking” and urged that “every possible support must reach them without delay.” Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu posted on X that he was “shocked” and offered his “heartfelt condolences,” assuring that his government would provide full support to the injured and bereaved families. Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy called the accident “extremely distressing,” and requested authorities to provide financial aid and the best possible medical care. BJP State President PVN Madhav also visited the site following the tragedy.
