Kurnool (Rajeev Sharma): The number of casualties in the Kurnool bus fire has increased to 20, as authorities recovered more bodies from the charred remains of the vehicle late Friday. The tragic incident occurred when a Hyderabad–Bengaluru Volvo bus collided with a two-wheeler and burst into flames on National Highway 44, near Ullindakonda village in the early hours of the morning.
According to officials, the luxury coach carrying around 40 passengers caught fire shortly after 3:30 a.m., giving little time for those inside to react. Many of the victims were believed to be asleep when the blaze spread, trapping them inside the bus.
How the Tragedy Unfolded
Investigators believe that the collision caused the motorcycle to become stuck under the vehicle’s chassis, sparking a fire that rapidly engulfed the diesel tank. Passengers in the rear section of the bus struggled to escape as thick smoke and flames filled the cabin.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing loud explosions before the bus was completely engulfed. “We saw people trying to break the glass and jump out. It was terrifying,” said a local resident who reached the scene moments after the crash.
While 20 passengers managed to escape with injuries, the condition of several remains critical. The driver of the bus allegedly fled immediately after the incident and has yet to be located.
Authorities Respond
Kurnool Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil confirmed that forensic and fire safety teams are on-site examining the remains to identify the precise cause of ignition. “Twenty deaths have been confirmed so far. The remains are badly charred, and identification is ongoing with the help of DNA testing,” he said.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has expressed shock over the accident, terming it a “heart-wrenching tragedy.” He has instructed district authorities to provide immediate assistance to survivors and their families.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences through an official statement, announcing an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh for each deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
Mourning and Calls for Action
As families gathered at Kurnool Government Hospital to identify the victims, emotional scenes unfolded outside the mortuary. Many relatives demanded stricter enforcement of safety protocols for long-distance buses, particularly during night operations.
The Kurnool fire stands as one of the most severe road disasters in Andhra Pradesh in recent years, renewing concerns about highway safety, vehicle maintenance, and emergency response preparedness.
Authorities are expected to submit a detailed report in the coming days, even as the state mourns the loss of twenty lives in a tragedy that turned a routine journey into a nightmare.
