Tirupati: A tragic bus fire in Kurnool that claimed the lives of 19 passengers may have been exacerbated by a large shipment of smartphones stored in the luggage compartment. The Vemuri Kaveri Travels bus was transporting 234 new smartphones, valued at approximately Rs 46 lakh, from Hyderabad to Bengaluru when the incident occurred.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the fire ignited after the bus collided with a stationary motorcycle, causing the bike's fuel tank to explode. The flames quickly spread to the luggage area, where the smartphones were stored. Forensic experts noted that the extreme heat caused the lithium-ion batteries in the phones to undergo "thermal runaway," leading to multiple explosions. Survivors reported hearing loud blasts as the batteries detonated, significantly increasing the fire's intensity and speed.

Many victims were found in the front section of the bus, directly above the luggage compartment, indicating they had little time to escape. Some bodies were discovered stuck in narrow passageways, while others were found fused together, suggesting they were unable to escape the flames. One victim was found halfway out of a window, indicating a desperate attempt to flee.

Authorities are investigating the bus operator for violating regulations by transporting commercial cargo on a passenger bus. A senior police official stated that the presence of the volatile smartphone shipment may have turned a tragic accident into a catastrophic fire.

In a related incident, the Andhra Pradesh Transport Department has launched a crackdown on private travel operators following the Kurnool tragedy. They have booked 289 cases for safety violations and seized 18 buses operating illegally. The enforcement drive aims to enhance safety standards in the wake of this devastating event.