Kurnool Bus Tragedy: 19 Dead After Volvo Catches Fire in Andhra Pradesh
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Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh) | October 24, 2025 — TheTrendingPeople.com - In a devastating road tragedy, at least 19 passengers were burnt alive after a private Volvo bus caught fire on National Highway 44 near Chinnatekur village in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, during the early hours of Friday. The bus, carrying over 40 passengers, was traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru when it collided with a two-wheeler, triggering a massive fire that engulfed the vehicle within minutes.
A Deadly Collision at Dawn
According to police, the accident occurred at around 3:30 a.m., when a two-wheeler rammed into the bus, became trapped underneath, and was dragged for nearly 300 metres. The friction and leaking fuel from the motorbike are believed to have caused sparks that ignited the fire.
“The flames started from the front portion where the bike was stuck. Within moments, the entire bus was in flames,” said Akash, one of the survivors.
Most of the passengers were asleep at the time of the incident. Survivors reported that the main door jammed, trapping several passengers inside as the fire spread rapidly. Some managed to escape by breaking open emergency exits and rear windows.
“We woke up to screams of ‘fire, fire!’ I saw thick smoke and people shouting for help. A few of us broke the back window and jumped out,” another survivor recalled.
The two-wheeler rider, identified as Shiva Shankar (20) from Kurnool town, also died in the collision.
Survivors and Rescue Operations
Authorities said the Volvo bus belonged to Vkaveri Travels, a private operator registered in Odisha. It had 43 people on board, including two drivers, ten women, and two children.
Kurnool District Collector A. Siri confirmed that 21 passengers survived. Of them, 11 were hospitalized with injuries, while two remain untraced. The condition of the injured was reported to be stable.
“Out of 41 passengers, we have traced 21. Most have been shifted to hospitals in Kurnool. The fire was so intense that several victims were charred beyond recognition,” said the Collector.
By the time fire tenders reached the spot, the bus was completely gutted. The forensic team later recovered the bodies, which have been sent for DNA testing to confirm identities due to the severity of burns.
Police and Forensic Findings
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Kurnool Range) Koya Praveen said preliminary investigations revealed that the fire originated from the bike, not from the bus’s fuel tank.
“The bus fuel tank was intact. The fire began in the bike’s fuel tank, and the material under the bus was highly combustible. This caused the flames to spread rapidly,” the DIG said.
Police have taken one of the bus drivers into custody, while the other is still missing. The Transport Department and forensic experts are examining whether the bus met all safety standards and whether fire extinguishers were available on board.
Government Response and Relief Measures
Responding swiftly, Andhra Pradesh Transport Minister M. Ramprasad Reddy visited the site and assured support for the victims’ families.
“It’s a deeply tragic incident. The government will provide all necessary assistance and ensure that such negligence is not repeated,” the minister stated.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also directed officials from Gadwal district to rush to the scene to assist families of the deceased and survivors. Thirteen ambulances were dispatched from Hyderabad to transport the remains and help with medical support.
Victims from Multiple States
According to early reports, the deceased passengers hailed from Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka, underscoring the interstate nature of private travel between southern cities.
The bus had departed from Hyderabad around 10:30 p.m. and was expected to reach Bengaluru by early morning. The tragic accident took place roughly 20 kilometers before entering Kurnool city limits, near Chinnatekur village, a known accident-prone stretch of NH-44.
A Repeat Reminder on Road Safety
The Kurnool bus fire adds to a series of tragic road accidents involving private travel operators in recent years. In 2013, a similar Volvo bus fire near Mahbubnagar claimed 45 lives, sparking a national debate about vehicle safety standards, emergency exit design, and driver training protocols.
Experts say that despite repeated incidents, stringent checks on intercity private buses remain lax, particularly regarding flammable interiors, fuel system design, and safety equipment maintenance.
Road safety advocates are once again urging the government to mandate fire-resistant materials, install thermal detection alarms, and conduct periodic vehicle inspections to prevent such catastrophic loss of life.
Voices from the Ground
As families arrived in Kurnool to identify their loved ones, grief and shock filled the area. Emergency responders and local villagers worked side by side through the night to douse the flames and rescue survivors.
“We saw the bus in flames and heard cries from inside. A few of us tried to help break the glass, but the heat was unbearable,” said Rajesh, a local resident who witnessed the fire.
What Happens Next
Authorities have begun forensic examinations and DNA identification to match remains with missing persons. Police are also verifying travel records and coordinating with Vkaveri Travels and state transport departments to determine liability.
An official inquiry committee is expected to be formed to investigate whether human error, negligence, or mechanical failure led to the tragedy.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
The Kurnool Volvo bus fire is a grim reminder of the urgent need for better road safety standards and stricter private bus regulation in India. As families mourn their loss, the focus must shift to ensuring that such incidents are not repeated through accountability, safety audits, and systemic reform in public transportation oversight.