GG News Bureau
Kurnool, 24th Oct: At least 20 people were killed after a private travel bus caught fire in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district early Friday morning. Preliminary investigations indicate that the tragedy occurred after a motorcycle collided with the bus, triggering a massive blaze that engulfed the vehicle within minutes.
The bus, operated by Kaveri Travels, was carrying 41 passengers when the accident took place around 3 am on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru highway. Officials said the fuel tank of the motorcycle ruptured upon impact, causing a leak that led to the explosion of the bus’s fuel tank.
Kurnool District Collector A. Siri confirmed the details, saying, “The incident occurred between 3 am and 3:10 am when a motorcycle collided with the bus, rupturing the fuel tank. The resulting leak and friction might have caused the fire.”
Among the deceased is the motorcycle rider, while the bus driver Miryala Lakshmiah, co-driver G. Siva Narayana, and cabin attendant Miryala Ashok escaped unhurt and immediately alerted authorities.
The inferno, which gutted the vehicle completely, brought back memories of a similar tragedy on October 30, 2013, when 45 people died in a bus fire near Palem in Mahbubnagar district, Telangana, on the same route.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives, posting on X, “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.”
PM Modi also announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased, and ₹50,000 for those injured.
Police and district officials have initiated further investigation to ascertain the exact cause of ignition and verify safety compliance by the travel operator.
