12 Dead in Hyderabad–Bengaluru Bus Fire After Crash in Kurnool

Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh): In a tragic road accident, at least 12 people were killed and several others injured after a Hyderabad–Bengaluru bus caught fire early Friday morning in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district. The horrific bus accident in Kurnool occurred near Chinnatekur village, when the private travels bus collided with a two-wheeler around 3:30 am, triggering a massive blaze that engulfed the entire vehicle.

According to initial reports, there were around 40 passengers on board the Hyderabad–Bengaluru bus. Out of them, 18 passengers survived, many managing to escape through the emergency exit as the bus fire in Kurnool spread rapidly. Eyewitnesses said flames first erupted in the front portion of the bus before consuming the rest of the vehicle. The bus accident in Kurnool left several bodies charred beyond recognition, making identification difficult for officials.

Police and rescue teams rushed to the spot immediately after receiving the alert. Authorities confirmed that heavy rainfall in the area at the time of the accident may have played a role in the Hyderabad–Bengaluru bus collision. The bus was completely gutted in the fire, and the cause of the blaze is under investigation.

“The bodies are still inside the bus. We are conducting postmortems on-site based on the circumstances,” said Health Minister Sri Satyakumar Yadav, who also confirmed that DNA samples are being collected to identify the victims. He added, “Forensic doctors have been dispatched to the site, and Mahaprasthanam vehicles are ready to transport the bodies. Twelve passengers were hospitalized with minor injuries, and six have already been discharged.”

The bus fire in Kurnool left the nation in shock, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressing deep grief over the tragic loss of lives.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared his condolences on social media, saying, “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 an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the families of each deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured.

President Droupadi Murmu called the bus accident in Kurnool “deeply unfortunate,” adding, “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”

Expressing sorrow, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu said, “I am shocked to learn about the devastating bus fire accident near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of those who have lost their loved ones. The government will extend all possible support to the injured and affected families.”

Officials said that while several passengers managed to escape, the Hyderabad–Bengaluru bus accident could have been far deadlier had they not acted quickly. Many survivors reported that the fire spread so fast they had little time to react, breaking windows and forcing their way out to survive.

The bus accident in Kurnool has once again raised concerns about road safety, especially during late-night travel on highways prone to poor visibility and wet conditions. Authorities are examining whether the two-wheeler involved in the collision was parked or moving at the time, as that could help determine the exact cause of the Hyderabad–Bengaluru bus fire.

As rescue teams clear the wreckage and continue identification efforts, grief blankets the region. Families of passengers have been arriving at Kurnool Government Hospital, hoping for news about their loved ones.

The Kurnool bus accident serves as a grim reminder of the dangers of night-time highway travel and the urgent need for stricter safety measures, better emergency response systems, and regular inspection of long-distance buses.