11 Dead As Hyderabad-Bengaluru Bus Catches Fire, More Casualties Feared
Eleven people have died after a Volvo bus caught fire and turned into ashes after it hit a two-wheeler in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool in the early hours of Friday. The bus travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru had 40 people on board. The bus accident occurred near Ullindakonda in Kurnool district.
The bus began its journey from Hyderabad around midnight, and when it reached near Kurnool on National Highway 44 (NH-44), at around 3:30 am, it met with an accident with a two-wheeler. The two-wheeler got stuck under the belly of the bus, causing a spark, the police suspect. The driver fled the scene, according to the sources.
Initial reports suggest that the fire engulfed the bus within minutes.
"At around 3 am, a volvo 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," said Vikrant Patil, Superintendent of Police, Kurnool while speaking to NDTV. "The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team is here and ascertaining the exact cause of the fire. Since it was an AC bus, passengers had to break open the windows. Whoever could break open the glass are safe."
According to the passenger list, there were 40 people on board along with a driver and bus staff. At the time of the accident several people were asleep and might have faced difficulty in exiting the fire. The FSL team is looking for anyone who might have been left behind.
"15 people have been rescued and admitted to the hospital. The fire is under control," said Patil.
Eleven passengers are receiving treatment at the government hospital, while three others are being treated in private hospitals. The efforts are on to find missing passengers and identify victims.
The visuals from the ground show the charred bus.
"The bus burnt within two to three minutes," said Byreddy Shabari, Nandyal Tdp MP. "We have an eyewitness, who was coming from the opposite direction. He tried to rescue, but couldn't help because within minutes the bus exploded. We could save about 19 people."
It is difficult to identify some of the victims as the "bodies are completely burnt. We are trying our best," said Shabari.
Andhra Pradesh Transport Minister, Ramprasad Reddy, said the department is cross-checking documents to verify bus health. "We will check the terms and conditions being followed by the bus in the past two months."
Volvo bus burnt within minutes of hitting a bike on NH-44.
Reacting to the "deeply unfortunate" incident, President Droupadi Murmu said, "I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured."
The loss of lives in a tragic bus fire accident in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh is deeply unfortunate. 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 extended condolences to the families of the victims and assured government support.
"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," Naidu wrote 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…
Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has expressed deep shock and grief over the tragic bus accident in which several passengers were burnt alive. In a statement, Reddy said the incident was extremely distressing and has deeply shaken him. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the accident.
Reddy urged the government to extend financial assistance and support to the families of the victims and ensure the best possible medical care for the injured passengers undergoing treatment in hospitals.
Lokesh Nara, General Secretary, Telugu Desam Party also extended "deepest sympathies" to the families who have lost loved ones. He wished for the speedy recovery of those injured.
The news of the devastating bus fire accident near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district is heartbreaking. I extend my deepest sympathies to the families who have lost loved ones. Wishing speedy recovery to those injured.
Bharat Rashtra Samithi working president, KT Rama Rao, "prays for the peace of the departed souls."
హైదరాబాద్ నుండి బెంగళూరు వెళ్తున్న ప్రైవేట్ ట్రావెల్స్ బస్సు ప్రమాదానికి గురై 20 మందికి పైగా దుర్మరణం చెందటం తీవ్ర దిగ్బ్రాంతికి గురిచేసింది. మృతుల ఆత్మకు శాంతి కలగాలని ప్రార్ధిస్తున్నాను. వారి కుటుంబసభ్యులకు నా ప్రగాఢ సంతాపం తెలియజేస్తున్నాను.
Twenty people were burnt alive in a horrific tragedy on October 15 afternoon when a private bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur in Rajasthan caught fire. Police said the bus, carrying 57 passengers, left Jaisalmer around 3 pm. On the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway, smoke began emerging from the rear portion. The driver stopped the bus along the roadside, but within moments, the flames engulfed the vehicle.
Eyewitnesses have said that when the passengers tried to escape through the lone door, they found it jammed.
