Kurnool, October 24 (Udaipur Kiran): In a tragic accident, 20 people, including a biker, lost their lives and 13 others sustained burn injuries after a Hyderabad–Bengaluru private bus caught fire near Chinnatakuru village on the outskirts of Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, early Friday morning.
According to police, the incident occurred around 3:30 AM on National Highway 44, when a Vemuri Kaveri Travels bus collided with a motorbike at Ullindakonda junction, triggering a massive fire that engulfed the vehicle within minutes. The bus was reportedly carrying around 40 passengers.
While 12 passengers managed to escape by jumping out of the burning vehicle, 19 passengers and the motorcyclist were burned alive inside the bus. The driver and conductor survived the incident. Of the injured, 13 people have been discharged from the hospital after treatment, officials confirmed.
Upon learning of the incident, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who is currently abroad, held a video conference with Minister Mandeepalli Ramprasad Reddy and senior officials to review the situation. He directed authorities to identify the victims, provide immediate financial assistance to families, and conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire.
Naidu also ordered a statewide inspection of all private buses for fitness, safety, and permit compliance, warning that strict action would be taken against those found negligent. The CM sought a detailed report on the bus’s registration, permit, and fitness certification.
Meanwhile, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s government announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh each to the families of deceased passengers from Telangana and ₹2 lakh each to the injured. Minister Ponnam Prabhakar assured that all injured victims would receive the best medical treatment available.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) issued a statement conveying condolences to the bereaved families and wishing the injured a speedy recovery. The PM announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
Kurnool District Collector confirmed that 20 bodies have been recovered from the charred remains of the bus. He stated that the bodies will be handed over to the families after forensic examination and post-mortem, and DNA testing will be conducted to confirm identities.
Control rooms have been established in Kurnool and Gadwal districts to provide information to the relatives of the passengers. Police have launched a detailed investigation into the cause of the fire and safety compliance of the vehicle.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.