Kurnool: A devastating fire claimed at least 12 lives after a Hyderabad–Bengaluru Volvo bus caught fire following a collision in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district early Friday morning. The luxury coach, operated by Kaveri Travels, had departed Hyderabad around midnight with 40 passengers on board.
The tragedy unfolded near Ullindakonda on National Highway 44, around 3:30 a.m., when the bus reportedly struck a two-wheeler. Officials believe the motorcycle became lodged beneath the vehicle, triggering sparks that quickly ignited the bus’s undercarriage. Within moments, the flames spread through the air-conditioned coach, leaving passengers little time to react.
According to Kurnool Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil, “Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire started after the collision. Being an AC bus, the smoke and heat made it difficult for passengers to escape. Those who managed to break the glass windows survived.”
Out of the 40 people on board, about 20 were able to jump out through broken windows before the vehicle was engulfed. Rescue teams have so far recovered 11 bodies, with search operations continuing to locate anyone who may still be missing. Authorities confirmed that the driver fled the scene immediately after the crash.
Forensic teams are currently examining the wreckage to determine the precise cause of the fire. Many of the victims are believed to have been asleep when the accident occurred, making evacuation nearly impossible as the fire spread rapidly.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “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.” He also announced ex-gratia compensation of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
State authorities have assured a thorough investigation into the incident. Meanwhile, the remains of the victims are being identified with the help of forensic experts, and the injured are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.
What began as a routine overnight journey for dozens of travelers ended in horror, serving as yet another grim reminder of the deadly consequences of highway accidents and vehicle fires in India’s long-distance transport network.
