Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh): At least 20 passengers were charred to death after a Volvo bus caught fire in a tragic road accident in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district. The mishap took place in the early hours of Friday. The bus, operated by Kaveri Travels, was travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru with around 40 people on board when it collided with a two-wheeler near Ullindakonda on National Highway 44 (NH-44).
The accident occurred around 3:30 am, when the bus reportedly hit a two-wheeler that got stuck under its chassis, triggering sparks that quickly led to a massive fire. Within minutes, the flames engulfed the entire vehicle, leaving passengers trapped inside the air-conditioned cabin. Terrifying visuals of the burning bus have surfaced on the internet.
Collision With 2-Wheeler Likely Led To Fire: Cops
Kurnool Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil said the collision appeared to have caused the fire. “At around 3, a Volvo bus of Kaveri Travels was going from Hyderabad to Bengaluru. It hit a two-wheeler, which got stuck under the bus. That probably caused a spark and led to fire,” he said, as quoted by NDTV. "A Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team is examining the exact cause," he added.
As the flames spread rapidly, passengers struggled to escape. “Since it was an AC bus, the windows were sealed. Those who managed to break the glass survived,” Patil said. Around 15 passengers were rescued and rushed to nearby hospitals, some of them with severe burns and smoke inhalation injuries. The fire was later brought under control and authorities are working to identify the deceased.
Emergency teams, including the fire brigade and police, reached the site soon after being alerted. Charred remains of the bus were found completely gutted on the highway, while the two-wheeler involved was reduced to ashes. Officials are now searching for missing passengers and verifying the identities of the victims with the help of family members.
Andhra CM Expresses Shock Over Mishap
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep shock over the tragedy, extending condolences to the families of those killed. “I am shocked to learn about the devastating bus fire accident near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district. Government authorities will extend all possible support to the injured and affected families,” Naidu posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and Telugu Desam Party General Secretary Lokesh Nara also conveyed grief, urging the government to ensure immediate medical aid for the injured and financial assistance for the bereaved families. The Kurnool police have launched a detailed probe into the incident.
