At least 20 passengers were killed and several others injured when a Hyderabad–Bengaluru bound Volvo bus operated by Kaveri Travels caught fire in the early hours of Friday, October 24, on National Highway 44 near Chinnatekuru village in Kallur mandal, Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.
According to officials, the tragic incident occurred between 3:00 am and 3:10 am when a motorcycle collided with the bus, causing a fuel leak that triggered a massive explosion. The fire spread within minutes, engulfing the vehicle and trapping many passengers asleep inside.
Kurnool District Collector A. Siri confirmed that the bike was trapped under the bus, rupturing its fuel tank and causing an explosion. “Out of 41 passengers onboard, 21 were rescued safely. Among the remaining, 20 have died, and the bodies of 11 have been identified so far,” she said.
Officials suspect that an electrical short circuit following the collision jammed the automatic doors, preventing passengers from escaping in time. Several survivors reportedly broke windows to jump out, sustaining injuries in the process.
Firefighters and locals rushed to the spot, but by the time the flames were doused, the bus was completely gutted, and many victims were charred beyond recognition. Forensic teams have been deployed to collect DNA samples for identification.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the tragedy and announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
“Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time,” the PMO said in a post on X.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu termed the incident “devastating” and directed district authorities to provide medical aid and relief to the injured. “I am shocked to learn about the bus fire accident near Chinna Tekur village. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families who have lost their loved ones,” Naidu wrote on X.
The Chief Minister has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident, while the Kurnool Collectorate has set up a control room and helpline (08518-277305) for victim assistance and information.
Witnesses said the driver and co-driver fled the scene soon after the collision, and police are investigating their roles. Local villagers and firefighters worked through the night to rescue trapped passengers and shift the injured to nearby hospitals.
Authorities have ordered a forensic and safety audit to determine whether Kaveri Travels violated any safety or maintenance regulations. Preliminary reports indicate that the bus’s fuel and electrical systems may not have been adequately insulated to prevent such a catastrophe.
As of Friday morning, over 20 charred bodies have been recovered, and the process of identification through DNA testing is ongoing.
The Kurnool bus fire stands among the worst transport disasters in Andhra Pradesh’s recent history. What began as a routine overnight journey between two major cities ended in a scene of devastation, with families awaiting news of loved ones and authorities struggling to piece together the full scale of the tragedy.
