Bengaluru-bound bus catches fire in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool, leaves 20 dead, 12 injured; PM Modi expresses condolences

Kurnool bus tragedy: A major fire engulfed a Bengaluru-bound private bus near Chinnatekur village in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, around 3:30 am on Friday. The bus, operated by Kaveri Travels and reportedly coming from Hyderabad, caught fire after colliding with a two-wheeler, killing at least 20 passengers and leaving 12 others with minor injuries, the police said, according to Hindustan Times.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed condolences. “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.

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy directs Chief Secretary and DGP to coordinate with Andhra Pradesh authorities

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said, "The news of a private bus travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru meeting with a horrific accident in Kurnool district has caused profound shock. The report of several deaths in the accident is deeply distressing. I pray to God that the souls of the deceased find peace… and I express my heartfelt condolences to their families.

He added, “I have directed the Chief Secretary and DGP to coordinate with Andhra Pradesh authorities to ensure relief measures are implemented. I have instructed officials to provide better medical assistance to the injured and other relief programs on a war footing. I have directed the Jogulamba Gadwal district Collector and SP to immediately proceed to the accident site and oversee relief operations.”

President Droupadi Murmu extends condolences

President Droupadi Murmu paid condolences and wished for the “speedy recovery of the injured.” She said, "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.

Kurnool bus tragedy: PM Modi expresses grief, announces ex gratia for kin of deceased

“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. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” the Prime Minister's Office posted on X.

Health minister reacts

Satyakumar Yadav, Andhra Pradesh Minister of Health, posted on X, “I am deeply saddened to learn that dozens of passengers lost their lives in the tragic bus accident near Kurnool early this morning. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I have directed the Superintendent of Kurnool GH to provide medical care to the injured. FSL teams have been dispatched to the accident site.”

Former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy calls bus fire accident ‘tragic’

“The news of the tragic bus fire accident near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district is deeply distressing. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. I urge the government to ensure all necessary assistance and medical support to the injured and those affected by this unfortunate incident,” former CM Jagan Mohan Reddy said.

What caused the Kurnool bus fire?

Vikrant Patil, Superintendent of Police, Kurnool, told NDTV, “At around 3 am, a volvo bus of Kaveri Travels was going from Hyderabad to Bengaluru. It hit a two-wheeler, and it got stuck under the bus. That probably caused a spark and led to fire. The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team is here and ascertaining the exact cause of the fire. Since it was an AC bus, passengers had to break open the windows. Whoever could break open the glass are safe.”

According to HT, the police said, “The two-wheeler got trapped under the bus and hit the fuel tank, leading to an immediate explosion and rapid spread of flames throughout the vehicle."

Eyewitnesses reported hearing screams for help before the bus was completely engulfed. Locals rushed to the scene and attempted to rescue the injured before the fire tenders arrived.

Rescue teams transferred the injured passengers to Kurnool Government General Hospital for medical treatment. Preliminary reports indicate that most of the passengers were from Hyderabad.

The survivors have been identified as Naveen Kumar, Akhil, Jasmitha, Akira, Ramesh, Jayasurya, Harika, Subrahmanyam, Ramireddy, Venugopal Reddy, Satyanarayana, and Srilakshmi.