Fiery Tragedy on Hyderabad–Bengaluru Highway Claims 20 Lives
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Kurnool
- Oct 24, 2025
- 535
In the early hours of Friday, a horrific tragedy unfolded on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru National Highway when a private bus burst into flames near Chinna Tekuru village in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district, killing at least 20 passengers and injuring several others.
According to police, the Volvo bus operated by Kaveri Travels was en route to Bengaluru when it collided with a two-wheeler on National Highway 44, triggering a devastating fire that engulfed the vehicle within minutes.
Kurnool District Collector A. Siri said that 41 passengers were on board, most of them asleep when the accident occurred. “The blaze spread rapidly, giving the passengers very little time to react,” she told reporters.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire erupted after the motorcycle’s fuel tank ruptured, spilling petrol onto the road. The friction from the impact ignited the flames, which then caused the bus’s fuel tank to explode, trapping many passengers inside.
At least 21 passengers managed to escape, including both bus drivers, who fled as the fire spread. The bodies of 11 victims have been identified so far, while the remaining are being identified through forensic analysis due to severe burns.
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Eyewitness Accounts of Horror
Survivor Jayant Kushwaha recounted the chaos moments before the blaze consumed the bus. Speaking to ANI, he said the bus had stopped for a restroom break around 12:30 am and resumed its journey soon after. Around 2:30 am, the bus suddenly halted.
“I didn’t realise what was happening at first. Then we saw the fire and people started screaming. The main door was jammed,” he said.
Kushwaha and several others broke open the rear emergency exit window — nearly nine feet above the ground — and jumped out to save their lives. “We had to smash it with our shoulders and heads. Around nine or ten people jumped. Many were injured on landing,” he recalled.
Tragically, a family of four from Nellore — identified as Golla Ramesh (35), wife Anusha (30), and their children Shashank (12) and Manyata (10) — were among those who perished in the inferno.
Leaders Express Condolences
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the tragedy and announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
In a post on X, the Prime Minister’s Office said:
“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.”
President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed condolences, describing the incident as “deeply unfortunate” and wishing the injured a quick recovery.
State leaders, including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, expressed sorrow and promised full cooperation in relief efforts.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called the incident “tragic and painful,” extending heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families and wishing for the recovery of survivors.
-Officials Probe Cause; Rescue Operations Ongoing
Fire and rescue teams from Kurnool reached the site quickly but found the bus already engulfed in flames. The charred vehicle has since been cleared from the highway, and forensic experts are examining the remains to confirm the identities of all victims.
Authorities are investigating whether overspeeding or driver fatigue contributed to the crash. A case has been registered, and both the drivers, who escaped the blaze, are being questioned.
The accident has once again highlighted the urgent need for stricter safety protocols and emergency preparedness on long-distance private buses in India.