Kurnool: At least 20 passengers were killed and several others injured after a private bus, on its way to Hyderabad from Bengaluru, caught fire in the early hours of Friday. Most passengers were asleep when flames engulfed the vehicle, rescuers said. The incident occurred in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.
According to officials, 12 people were rescued and admitted to hospital. Six of them have been discharged after first-aid. The others are also said to be out of danger. One passenger sustained severe injuries in a bid to escape by jumping out of the moving vehicle. Doctors said that his condition is stable.
While forensic teams are collecting samples from the site, DNA is also being collected from the charred victims for identification, officials said.
There were around 40 passengers in the bus when the incident occurred, officials said. According to witnesses, the blaze started in the front portion of the bus before rapidly spreading through the vehicle, leaving passengers with little time to react.
While 12 passengers managed to escape through the emergency exit, others sustained injuries and were rushed to the Kurnool District Hospital. Several charred bodies were extracted from the mangled remains after fire brigade personnel succeeded in bringing the blaze under control.
While it is being suspected that an electrical fault in the engine led to the blaze, experts are investigating the cause.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the incident and assured full government support for the victims and their families.
“I am shocked to learn about the devastating bus fire accident near Chinna Tekuru 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 in a post on X.
“Chief Minister Shri A. Revanth Reddy expressed deep shock over the horrific bus accident that occurred near Chinnatekuru in Kurnool district. He instructed state officials to coordinate with Andhra Pradesh authorities and take necessary relief measures. He expressed profound condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this incident,” the Telangana CMO also posted.
“Regarding the bus accident, the Chief Minister spoke with the State Government’s Chief Secretary and DGP. He directed the establishment of a helpline for relief measures. He also instructed the Gadwal Collector and SP to immediately proceed to the accident site,” it added.
