Lagatar24 Desk
Kurnool: A devastating tragedy unfolded on Friday near Chinna Tekuru village in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district, where a private Kaveri Travels bus caught fire following a collision with a motorcycle. The resulting blaze claimed at least 20 lives, leaving many charred beyond recognition, and others injured as they tried to escape through shattered windows.
Collision, Combustible Materials, and a Jammed Door Proved Fatal
According to preliminary police findings, the bus—travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru with over 40 passengers—collided with a bike that got trapped underneath. The friction sparked a fire, which quickly engulfed the vehicle. DIG Koya Praveen confirmed that while the fuel tank remained intact, combustible materials inside the bus intensified the blaze. Tragically, the main door jammed shut, trapping passengers inside.
Survivors Broke Windows to Escape
Twelve passengers managed to break the windows and escape the inferno, though many suffered burn injuries. Dr. Siri, an official handling the incident response, confirmed that 21 passengers have been traced, with 11 bodies identified so far and 9 still pending identification. Fire safety measures were reportedly inadequate, making it nearly impossible for passengers to flee once the flames erupted.
Echoes of a Similar Bus Fire in Rajasthan
This horrifying incident mirrors a similar tragedy in Rajasthan just days earlier, where 22 people died—including children—after a short circuit triggered a bus fire near Thaiyat village on October 14. Investigations in that case confirmed the cause as a malfunction in the air-conditioning system.
Vehicle Had History of Traffic Violations
Despite holding valid fitness and insurance certificates, the Scania bus (registration DD01N9490) operated by Vemuri Kaveri Travels had a history of 16 traffic violations and unpaid fines totaling ₹23,000 in Telangana. Registered originally in Daman and Diu and later re-registered in Rayagada, Odisha, the bus was being operated by Vemuri Vinod Kumar. Officials noted the poor record and emphasized the need for stricter safety enforcement.
