NEW DELHI: At least 20 people were killed after a private Kaveri Travels bus caught fire on Friday following a collision with a bike at Chinna Tekuru village in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district. The blaze erupted within minutes, trapping passengers inside and leaving many charred to death.
Here’s what happenedPreliminary investigations revealed that the bus hit a bike, which went under the vehicle and caught fire, eventually causing the bus to explode.Also Read: 46 dead in 9 days in Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan: Collisions, short circuits and jammed doors turn buses into deadly trapsThe private bus was travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru with over 40 passengers on board.DIG Koya Praveen said that while the impact with the bike ignited the fire, combustible materials inside the bus contributed to many deaths.
Image Credit: TOI
He added that the fuel tank remained intact and the bus lacked adequate safety measures to prevent or mitigate fire incidents.Casualties and identificationDr Siri said that 21 people have been traced so far. Of the remaining 20, 11 bodies have been identified, while 9 are yet to be identified. She also noted that the bus door got jammed after the fire broke out, preventing passengers from escaping.Survivors escape through windowsTwelve passengers managed to escape through windows, many sustaining burn injuries, while others were trapped as the blaze spread rapidly.
Similar incident in RajasthanThe Kurnool tragedy comes just days after a similar bus fire in Rajasthan, where 22 people, including three children, were killed near Thaiyat village on October 14. Investigations revealed a short circuit in the air-conditioning system caused that blaze, confirmed by FSL, transport department, and CIRT teams.Also read: 20 burnt alive as bus catches fire on Hyderabad-Bengaluru highwayKey directives from chief minister (CM):
- The CM held a video conference regarding the Kurnool bus accident, attended by Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy and senior officials.
- Comprehensive Inquiry: The CM directed a comprehensive inquiry to be conducted with transport ministers and officials from other states.
- Immediate Aid: Officials were instructed to identify the victims and provide immediate relief and assistance to their families.
- Medical Care: The Health Department was asked to ensure that the injured receive appropriate medical treatment.
- Safety Checks: The CM ordered the Transport Department to immediately conduct fitness, safety, and permit inspections on all private travel buses.
- Technical Inspection: Technical inspections of buses are to be undertaken across all districts.
- Strict Action: The CM warned that strict action would be taken if any negligence responsible for the accident is revealed.
- Full Report: The CM sought a complete report on the private bus’s registration, fitness, and permit details.
Rs 23,000 unpaid fines
The ill-fated Kaveri Travels bus that went up in flames near Chinnatekuru on Friday, killing around 20 passengers, had a long record of traffic violations despite holding valid fitness and insurance certificates.The Scania bus (registration number DD01N9490) was owned by Vemuri Kaveri Travels and operated by Vemuri Vinod Kumar of Rayagada, Odisha. Officials said the vehicle was originally purchased on May 2, 2018, and registered in Daman and Diu on August 8, 2018, before being re-registered with Rayagada RTO on April 29, 2025.Despite these valid documents, officials said the vehicle had been a frequent traffic violator, with 16 challans recorded in Telangana alone, amounting to Rs 23,000 in unpaid fines.
