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At least 20 people are feared dead with several others injured in the Kurnool bus tragedy.
At Least 12 Killed as Bus Catches Fire in Andhra Pradesh
Preliminary police investigations suggest that the Bengaluru-Hyderabad bus caught fire after colliding with a motorcycle on National Highway 44 in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, in the early hours of Friday, October 24. The collision caused the motorcycle’s fuel tank to rupture and leak fuel. The resulting friction and spark from the two-wheeler trapped under the bus are believed to have ignited the fire.
Nearly 40 passengers were trapped inside the vehicle as the blaze spread rapidly. Authorities continue to investigate the exact cause of the fire and are examining all aspects of the tragic incident.
What we know about the incident – 7 points
1. The tragedy occurred early morning near Chinna Tekuru village in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, when a private Kaveri Travels Volvo bus traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru collided with a two-wheeler around 3:30 am, which caused the two-wheeler to get stuck under the bus and sparked a fire that rapidly engulfed the vehicle.
2. At least 20 people are feared dead with several others injured. Around 12 to 15 passengers managed to escape by breaking windows or emergency exits, many with burn injuries.
3. The bus fire spread quickly, and the bus doors got jammed, trapping most passengers inside. The fire was intensified by combustible materials inside the bus, but the bus’s fuel tank remained intact. Firefighters and police reached the scene shortly after, extinguished the flames, and began recovery operations at dawn. Cooling operations and victim identification are ongoing.
4. Rescue operations were hindered by heavy rain in the area, and the bus crew, including the driver, reportedly fled the scene immediately after the accident. The injured were rushed to Kurnool Government Hospital for treatment.
5. According to eyewitness, most people were asleep when the bus hit the bike. The flames quickly spread due to synthetic materials inside the bus, and the doors were jammed shut. Survivors said smoke filled the bus within moments, causing people to suffocate or lose consciousness before escape was possible.
6. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep condolences, ordered immediate relief and medical assistance for the injured, and a formal investigation into the cause is underway. This incident follows a recent similar deadly bus fire in Rajasthan, raising concerns about safety protocols for private long-distance buses.
Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influenced public…Read More
Shuddhanta Patra, a seasoned journalist with eight years of experience, serves as Senior Sub‑Editor at CNN News 18. With expertise across national politics, geopolitics, business news, she has influenced public… Read More
Kurnool, India, India
October 24, 2025, 09:19 IST
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