Kurnool Bus Fire Tragedy: 20 Dead, Families Devastated, Investigation Reveals Startling Safety Violations

A horrific tragedy struck Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of October 24, 2025, when a private sleeper bus traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru burst into flames near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district. The fire claimed at least 20 lives and left several others critically injured. Initial investigations suggest that a collision with a two-wheeler led to the fire, which quickly engulfed the vehicle, trapping most passengers inside.

The Incident: Moments Before the Inferno

According to eyewitnesses and survivors, the Volvo sleeper coach, operated by a private travel agency, was moving at high speed when it collided with a bike that had fallen on the road. Within seconds, sparks ignited leaking fuel, setting off a massive fire that spread through the bus.

Many passengers were asleep and woke up to screams and thick smoke. Survivors say the main door jammed shut, possibly due to a short circuit, forcing people to break windows using laptops, phones, and elbows to escape.

One survivor told The Hindu, “We could hear people shouting for help, but flames spread so fast that the heat was unbearable.”

The Deadly Fuel: 234 Smartphones and Electronic Devices

An NDTV report revealed that the bus was carrying over 230 smartphones and other electronic gadgets, many packed in passengers’ luggage after Diwali shopping trips. These lithium-ion batteries intensified the fire, turning the bus into a furnace within minutes.

Experts from the Forensic Science Laboratory confirmed that the exploding batteries contributed to the spread and intensity of the flames, leaving little chance of survival for those trapped inside.

Illegal Conversion and Violations

A Moneycontrol investigation uncovered that the bus had been illegally modified into a sleeper coach. The documents showed that the vehicle was registered as a seating coach, not as a sleeper bus — a violation that significantly compromises fire safety standards.

According to The Federal, the vehicle had 16 previous violations and ₹23,000 in unpaid challans, including over-speeding and unauthorized modification.

Transport authorities have now sealed the operator’s offices, and the Telangana and Andhra Pradesh transport departments are jointly reviewing all sleeper buses operating on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru corridor.

Eyewitness and Survivor Accounts

Survivors paint a picture of chaos and helplessness:

“I saw flames climbing up the curtains and seats. The driver jumped out, but many couldn’t. We broke the glass with a metal rod and pulled a few out,” said one survivor, quoted by The Indian Express.

Another survivor told Patrika News that laptops and mobile phones were “our only weapons” to break through the bus windows as the flames closed in.

Driver’s Actions Under Scrutiny

The bus driver’s conduct is under investigation. Police told NDTV that the driver initially fled the scene and later surrendered, claiming that he tried to open the door but it got stuck. However, passengers allege that he made no attempt to rescue those trapped inside.

An FIR has been filed against both drivers (the main and relief drivers) under Sections 304A (causing death by negligence) and 337 (causing hurt by act endangering life) of the IPC.

Families in Agony: Stories of the Victims

The victims include young tech professionals, families returning from Diwali holidays, and a mother visiting her daughter in Bengaluru.

• NewsMeter reported that three young techies from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana lost their lives in the tragedy.

• The Indian Express shared the heartbreaking story of a mother-daughter duo who were traveling together — both perished.

• One family from Yadadri-Bhongir district is mourning the death of a 26-year-old software engineer who had just celebrated Diwali at home.

As News18 captured in a grieving parent’s words:

“I wish my daughter never got that job in Bengaluru. She was my only child.”

DNA Profiling and Identification

Due to the intensity of the fire, most bodies were charred beyond recognition. Officials have begun DNA profiling of the victims to confirm identities. Andhra Pradesh authorities said the process would be completed by Monday, as reported by Press Trust of India and Hindustan Times.

Government and Political Reactions

Political leaders and celebrities expressed grief and called for accountability:

• YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, extended condolences and directed officials to ensure immediate relief and medical aid.

• N. Chandrababu Naidu assured full support to the victims’ families.

• Karnataka Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar and former CM Siddaramaiah also expressed sorrow, urging both states to coordinate investigations.

• Rashmika Mandanna and Sonu Sood voiced anguish on social media, with Sood calling for stricter safety laws for sleeper buses.

Ex-Gratia and Relief Announcements

The Andhra Pradesh government announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹5 lakh for the families of those who died and ₹2 lakh for the injured.

Meanwhile, Telangana has set up a helpline for families searching for loved ones and deployed teams to coordinate at hospitals and mortuaries.

Wider Implications: Sleeper Bus Safety Under Scrutiny

This incident has reignited debates on the safety of sleeper buses in India. As Deccan Herald and Telegraph India noted, sleeper coaches often lack proper emergency exits, fireproof materials, and evacuation protocols.

The tragedy mirrors the 2013 Mahbubnagar bus fire, which killed 45 passengers, leading to similar promises of reform that never fully materialized.

Public Outcry and Social Media Reaction

Social media was flooded with condolences and outrage. The hashtag #KurnoolBusTragedy trended on X (formerly Twitter) for over 24 hours.

Users shared calls for:

• Mandatory fire extinguishers and emergency exits on all long-distance buses.

• Stricter monitoring of private travel operators.

• Severe penalties for illegal modifications and overcrowding.

Conclusion

The Kurnool bus fire tragedy is a grim reminder of India’s recurring transportation safety lapses. While investigations continue into the precise cause of the blaze, the pattern is clear — lax enforcement, illegal modifications, and poor emergency preparedness are claiming lives that could have been saved.