Kurnool Bus Tragedy: 20 dead, case registered against two drivers over alleged negligence

Kurnool Bus Tragedy LIVE Updates: Most of the victims were charred beyond recognition, the police said, according to PTI. The dead included two children and a biker.

A case has been registered against two drivers for alleged negligence and over-speeding in connection with the bus fire incident in Kurnool which left 20 dead. The complaint has been lodged by one of the survivors, N Ramesh.

The Greater Bengaluru IT Companies and Industries Association has urged government agencies and stakeholders to conduct an investigation into the bus fire in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh which led to the deaths of 20 people, PTI reported.

The associated urged transport authorities and service providers to take urgent action in order to ensure highest safety standards for all intercity commuters.

Kurnool Bus Tragedy LIVE Updates: Andhra Pradesh minister Payyavula Keshav on Friday urged the public not to spread misinformation about the Kurnool bus tragedy, saying the probe is still ongoing. He said, "Do not spread misinformation about the Kurnool bus tragedy; the probe is ongoing," he told reporters in Anantapur.

Karnataka deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar said a probe should be conducted into the Kurnool bus fire incident. “All the states should work out safety measures following this. We pray for the families of the deceased,” Shivakumar said, adding that the incident is a lesson for everyone, according to ANI.

“15 days ago, a Blue Line bus met with the same fate, but luckily, all escaped,” the Karnataka deputy CM said while calling it a “tragic” incident.

Andhra Pradesh government announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and ₹2 lakh each to the injured in the Kurnool bus fire incident.

“19 people lost their lives in this incident. 27 people were rescued. We have announced ₹5 lakhs each to the kin of the deceased and ₹2 lakhs each to the injured. Our 16 teams are mobilised over this incident,” Andhra Pradesh transport minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy told ANI news agency.

Collector of Gadwal district in Telangana, Santosh B M, arrived at the spot of the bus fire incident in Kurnool to review the situation, PTI news agency reported.

Andhra Pradesh transport minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy said 16 teams have been mobilised after the bus fire in Kurnool. “19 people lost their lives in this incident. 27 people were rescued. We have announced ₹5 lakhs each to the kin of the deceased and ₹2 lakhs each to the injured,” Reddy told ANI.

Union minister G Kishan Reddy on Friday condoled the deaths in the bus fire in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool.

“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,” Reddy told ANI news agency.

The Telangana government has announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the deceased in the Kurnool bus fire, and ₹2 lakh compensation to those injured, ANI reported.

“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,” Telangana transport minister Ponnam Prabhakar Goud said.

Kurnool Bus Tragedy LIVE Updates: For the survivors, who boarded a Kaveri Travels private bus to travel from Hyderabad to Bengaluru last night, the morning of Friday began in screams and smoke, a nightmare they believe they will never forget.

Their routine overnight journey ended in chaos and charred wreckage after the Bengaluru-bound bus caught fire in this district after colliding with a two-wheeler, leaving 20 people dead.

The mishap occurred near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district, a senior police official said.

Those who lived to see the light of the day say it all happened in minutes.

“Around 2:30 am, the bus stopped suddenly. I woke up and saw flames on the window side,” recalled Ashwin, one of the passengers seated just behind the driver.

“I immediately shouted to the driver, but the fire spread so fast. We tried to break the windows to get out. About 20 people managed to escape, but the others couldn’t," he added. Read more.

Kurnool Bus Tragedy LIVE Updates: A passenger who was travelling in the bus that caught fire described the horror and told news agency ANI, "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..."

Kurnool Bus Tragedy LIVE Updates: Telangana Jagruthi leader Kavitha Kalvakuntla, while speaking about the Kurnool bus tragedy, said, "An unfortunate incident took place in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool. Several incidents involving sleeper buses have taken place across the country in the recent past. I would urge the Union transport minister to review the sleeper bus policy," reported news agency PTI.

Telangana transport minister Ponnam Prabhakar expressed deep concern over Kurnool bus fire accident and said that going forward, all necessary measures will be taken in the bus system to prevent similar incidents.

“A tragic incident occurred early this morning, causing immense sorrow. On behalf of the Telangana government, we extend our condolences to the families of the deceased. The Hon’ble Chief Minister has also been briefed on the matter. Should any immediate assistance be required from the Telangana government at the site, the concerned transport department officials have been directed to take action. Additionally, the district collector, the Andhra transport minister, and the DIG were contacted by telephone to obtain complete information about the incident. This is indeed a deeply unfortunate occurrence. Going forward, given that thousands of people travel daily via Hyderabad–Andhra, Andhra–Karnataka, and Karnataka–Hyderabad routes, all necessary measures will be taken in the bus system to prevent similar incidents. Three ministers and three transport commissioners will meet shortly to decide on the actions to be implemented to ensure such tragedies do not recur,” he was quoted as saying by PTI.

Kurnool Bus Tragedy LIVE Updates: The Telangana government on Friday set up a helpline to assist the families of passengers of the Hyderabad to Bengaluru private bus, which was involved in an accident in Kurnool district of neighbouring Andhra Pradesh. The government, in a release, said that its officers M Sriramachandra (M 9912919545) and E Chittibabu (M 9440854433) can be contacted for help. (PTI)

Kurnool Bus Tragedy LIVE Updates: Out of the 20 people who tragically died the bus fire incident in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool, 19 bodies have been recovered so far. DNA testing is going on to identify the victims.

Kurnool Bus Tragedy LIVE Updates: At least 20 people died after a private bus going from Hyderabad to Bengaluru caught fire in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district after meeting an accident with a motorcycle early Friday morning. Scary visuals show the bus engulfed in flames even as it rained.

Kurnool Bus Tragedy LIVE Updates: Vice President CP Radhakrishan said that he is “deeply saddened" by the bus fire tragedy in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool.

“Deeply saddened by the tragic bus fire accident in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh. Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he wrote on X.

Kurnool Bus Tragedy LIVE Updates: Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar Goud said on Friday that "unfit buses" which flout the rules set by the government would be seized.

"We have directed the transport authorities to seize any unfit buses to eliminate potential threats to life. We direct the transport people that buses will be seized if they don't comply with the rules. There is no playing with the lives of citizens," Telangana Transport Minister Goud told news agency ANI.

After the bus went up in flames, locals reportedly heard people crying for help as they tried to scape the blaze. hey tried to rescue the injured before fire tenders arrived. Firefighters from Kurnool deployed four fire engines to bring the blaze under control, but by then, the bus was reduced to ashes. Rescue teams shifted the injured passengers to the Kurnool Government General Hospital for treatment. Preliminary reports suggest that the majority of the passengers were residents of Hyderabad.

Jayant Kushwaha, who survived the fire told ANI that he remained in disbelief after seeing the flames. He woke up around 2:30 AM only to find himself and others trapped in a fire on board since the doors remained locked. He managed to escape after breaking the emergency windows. "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.

Andhra Pradesh Governor Nazeer has directed the district authorities to provide necessary medical care to the injured passengers. The Governor offered his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members.

As per reports, the bus rammed into a motorcycle which got dragged under it, hitting the fuel tank. This caused an immediate explosion and the flames rapidly spread throughout the vehicle, police said. The police further said that the bus door got jammed due to a short circuit and the vehicle was completely gutted within minutes.

Kurnool Bus Tragedy LIVE Updates: In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "The tragic and painful incident of a bus catching fire on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru highway in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, resulting in the death of many innocent people, is deeply saddening. I express my heartfelt condolences to the grieving families of all the passengers who lost their lives in this tragedy and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured."

Jayant Kushwaha, a passenger on the ill-fated bus that caught fire near Kurnool district, said that he was in disbelief when he saw that the bus had caught fire. He said that doors of the bus were locked and 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.