Tragic Bus Fire in Kurnool Leaves 20 Dead

A horrifying accident in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, claimed at least 20 lives early Friday morning when a private bus traveling from Hyderabad caught fire. Passengers described the terrifying moments as they struggled to escape.

Jayant Kushwaha, one of the passengers, said he woke up around 2:30 am to find the bus engulfed in flames. “At first, I couldn’t believe it was fire. Only a few of us were awake, and we shouted to alert everyone. The doors were locked, and we couldn’t find the drivers. We broke the emergency windows and jumped out. Many others escaped the same way,” he recounted.

Another passenger, Ashwin, said about 20 people managed to get out safely. “I noticed fire near the windows and immediately alerted the driver. The bus stopped, and we tried to break the windows. Around 20 people got out, but unfortunately, others couldn’t escape,” he said.

Officials confirmed that the bus was carrying 41 passengers when it collided with a bike that got stuck underneath. Petrol from the bike leaked, which caused the fire. Kurnool District Collector A. Siri said that 11 bodies have been identified, while nine are still unaccounted for.

“There were 41 people on the bus, including two drivers. So far, 21 passengers have been traced and are safe. Eleven people died, and 21 others with minor injuries are being treated. The doors of the bus failed to open after the accident, but the drivers managed to escape,” DC Siri explained.

The collector added that the accident happened late at night while most passengers were asleep. “The bus wires were cut, which caused the doors to lock. We are investigating the incident and reaching out to the families of the deceased. A control room has been set up to provide assistance,” she said.

A fire official also pointed out a lack of safety equipment on the bus. “There were no safety hammers to break the windows. The bus was completely destroyed, although the diesel tank didn’t catch fire. The driver didn’t stop immediately after hitting the bike. The investigation is ongoing,” the official said.

This tragic incident highlights the importance of safety measures and emergency equipment on public transport, especially during long overnight journeys.