Kurnool Bus Fire Highlights: 20 killed as Bengaluru-bound private bus catches fire; CM Naidu announces ex gratia

A passenger who was travelling in the bus that caught fire says, "I was travelling from Hyderabad to Bangalore. Around 3 AM, a bike came in front of us... And then the same bike was dragged by the bus, and that's why flames came from the front... In the panic situation, everyone rushed towards the emergency exit... Due to the smoke, there was suffocation, and we were not able to see anything... As soon as we got out, the bus was completely on fire..."

Telangana Tourism Minister Jupally Krishna Rao on Friday said six persons from Telangana were among the 20 people who died in the bus accident in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

The minister, who visited the accident site, said 10 people who escaped the accident are stable and there is no threat to life. (PTI)

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra posted on X, “My heart goes out to the families who have lost their loved ones in the terrible bus fire in the Kurnool highway. May they find strength and courage to bear this loss.”

State Home Minister Anitha Vangalapudi visited the Kurnool District hospital and met the injured people who were travelling in the bus that caught fire near the Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool.

Contact number for Control Room in the Collectorate: 08518-277305

Kurnool Government General Hospital Control Room: 9121101059

Control room at the scene of the incident: 9121101061

Kurnool Police Office Control Room: 9121101075

Kurnool Government General Hospital Help Desk: 9494609814 and 9052951010

Several passengers were fast asleep and died without even realizing what was happening when the Bengaluru-bound bus caught fire around 3 AM after an accident involving a motor bike, leaving 20 dead on the spot. Most victims were charred beyond recognition, PTI reported.

Union Minister G Kishan Reddy on Friday extended condolences over the Kurnool bus tragedy in which at least 20 passengers were killed.

A private bus carrying 41 passengers in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool caught fire after colliding with a bike that got stuck under the bus, officials confirmed.

Speaking to ANI, Reddy said, "The bus accident in Kurnool is unfortunate. Many people lost their lives, and several others were injured. I pray to God for the well-being of those who are recovering, and my heartfelt condolences go out to the families of those who died."

Several passengers were fast asleep and died without even realizing what was happening when the Bengaluru-bound bus caught fire around 3 AM after an accident involving a motor bike, leaving 20 dead on the spot. Most victims were charred beyond recognition, PTI reported.

State Home Minister Anitha Vangalapudi visited the Kurnool District hospital and met the injured people who were travelling in the bus that caught fire near the Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool.

Over private bus accident, Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Anitha says, "This is an unfortunate incident. The bus was travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru around 3 am. The bus collided with a motorbike, dragged it, and caught fire, resulting in the loss of around 19 lives, including two children. Upon receiving information, our police department reached the spot and informed the Chief Minister and local leaders. A total of 39 passengers were travelling in the bus. The bus driver escaped and helped passengers exit by breaking the glass. 17 adults and two minors lost their lives. We have registered a case, and the driver is in our custody. We're investigating the matter. The motorbiker, Shiva Kumar, a native of Kurnool, lost his life. The dead bodies were severely damaged in the flames, making identification difficult. We've formed special teams to identify the bodies and are collecting DNA samples from deceased families. We have deployed forensic teams to further investigate the matter."

The Telangana government on Friday announced ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the deceased in the Kurnool bus fire accident, and ₹2 lakh each to those injured.

Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar Goud announced that the ex-gratia will be given to the affected families on the instructions of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.

"Upon the instructions of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, the Telangana government will provide an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakhs to the families of the deceased and ₹2 lakhs to those injured in the Kurnool bus accident," Goud said in a statement.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra posted on X, “My heart goes out to the families who have lost their loved ones in the terrible bus fire in the Kurnool highway. May they find strength and courage to bear this loss.”

Several passengers were fast asleep and died without even realizing what was happening when the Bengaluru-bound bus caught fire around 3 AM after an accident involving a motor bike, leaving 20 dead on the spot. Most victims were charred beyond recognition, PTI reported.

A passenger, Jayant Kushwaha, who was travelling from Hyderabad in a private bus that caught fire, narrated the horrific ordeal, saying that he remained in disbelief after witnessing fire onboard as soon as he woke up.

Jayant woke up around 2:30 AM only to find himself and others trapped in a fire on board since the doors remained locked. He, along with two or three other passengers, attempted to break emergency windows to escape the bus.

"Around 2:30-2:40 AM, the bus stopped, and I woke up and I saw that the bus caught fire. I couldn't believe that it was fire. I realised moments after that it was fire. Only two three people were awake. We yelled fire and woke everybody up. The doors were locked. We couldn't locate the drivers. We broke the emergency window as the main door was locked. We jumped out of the window. Many people jumped out of the bus by breaking the windows," Jayant told ANI.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra posted on X, “My heart goes out to the families who have lost their loved ones in the terrible bus fire in the Kurnool highway. May they find strength and courage to bear this loss.”

"The loss of lives in a tragic bus fire accident in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, is deeply unfortunate. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured," President Murmu said on X.

"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," the prime minister said. "An ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given ₹50,000," the Prime Minister's office said on X.

“I am shocked to learn about the devastating bus fire accident near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of those who have lost their loved ones. Government authorities will extend all possible support to the injured and affected families,” Naidu said on X.