NEW DELHI: A devastating fire engulfed a private Kaveri Travels bus in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district on Friday, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 people. The incident occurred at Chinna Tekuru village when the bus, which was en route from Hyderabad to Bengaluru with over 40 passengers, collided with a motorcycle. The collision caused the bike to catch fire, which quickly spread to the bus, leading to an explosion that trapped many passengers inside.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the bus's interior contained combustible materials that exacerbated the fire. DIG Koya Praveen stated that while the bike's impact ignited the flames, the bus's lack of adequate safety measures contributed to the high casualty rate. Fortunately, the fuel tank remained intact during the incident.

Dr. Siri, a local official, reported that 21 individuals have been traced so far, with 11 bodies identified and 9 yet to be recognized. The bus door jammed during the fire, making it impossible for many passengers to escape. However, 12 survivors managed to flee through the windows, although several sustained burn injuries.

This tragic event follows a similar incident in Rajasthan, where 22 people lost their lives in a bus fire caused by a short circuit in the air-conditioning system on October 14.

The Kaveri Travels bus, registered under Vemuri Kaveri Travels and operated by Vemuri Vinod Kumar, had a history of traffic violations, with 16 challans and Rs 23,000 in unpaid fines recorded in Telangana. Despite holding valid fitness and insurance certificates, the bus's safety record raises concerns about its operational standards. The vehicle was originally purchased in May 2018 and re-registered in April 2025.