Kurnool Bus Fire LIVE Updates: A private bus traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru caught fire in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district on Friday, killing 20 and injuring 12.
The accident took place at around 3.30 am when a Kaveri Travels bus carrying about 44 passengers from Hyderabad to Bengaluru collided with a motorcycle on National Highway 44 near Kurnool town.
Kurnool District Collector Dr. A. Siri said that of the 41 passengers, 21 were rescued safely. Among the remaining 20, the bodies of 11 have been identified so far.
What caused the Kurnool bus fire?
Police and Kurnool district officials said the motorcycle initially hit the bus, causing the two-wheeler’s fuel tank to burst. “The two-wheeler got stuck under the bus and hit the fuel tank, leading to an instant explosion and rapid spread of flames throughout the vehicle,” police said, according to Hindustan Times.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy expressed their grief over the tragedy. PM Modi also declared ex-gratia payment. Preliminary reports indicate that the motorcycle collided with a bus near Chinnatekur in Kurnool and got stuck under it with the fuel cap open, sparking a fire.
Kurnool Range DIG Koya Praveen told PTI that a full description of the victims and survivors will be available only after a detailed investigation and identification of all those involved in the accident.
