Tragedy on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru Highway: A Night of Horror Near Kurnool

In a devastating turn of events, a private bus traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru caught fire in the early hours of Friday, 24 October 2025, on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru National Highway (NH-44) near Chinnatekuru village in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh.
What began as a routine overnight journey turned into one of the deadliest bus accidents in recent years, leaving at least 20 passengers dead and several others battling for their lives.

🕒 The Incident: A Normal Ride Turns into a Nightmare

According to eyewitnesses and police officials, the Kaveri Travels Volvo bus, carrying 41–44 passengers, collided with a two-wheeler around 3:00 a.m. The bike got stuck beneath the bus, triggering sparks and a sudden fuel leak that ignited the flames.

Within minutes, the entire bus was engulfed in fire. Passengers, most of whom were asleep, woke up to screams and unbearable heat.

A survivor told The Times of India:

“Only a few of us were awake. We saw flames rising from the floor. The main door was jammed, so we broke windows to escape. People were shouting for help, but the smoke was too thick.”

The tragedy unfolded in seconds. By the time help arrived, the fire had spread uncontrollably, consuming the vehicle completely. Rescue workers later recovered charred remains of passengers, making identification a painful process for families and authorities alike.

🚍 The Route: Hyderabad to Bengaluru — A Lifeline, Now a Grave Scene

The Hyderabad–Bengaluru route is one of southern India’s busiest intercity corridors. The National Highway 44, part of India’s longest roadway, witnesses thousands of vehicles daily.
The ill-fated bus had left Hyderabad late Thursday night and was scheduled to reach Bengaluru early Friday morning. Unfortunately, it never made it past Kurnool, a midpoint known for heavy night traffic.

🔥 The Cause: Collision, Sparks, and a Firestorm

Preliminary investigations suggest a chain reaction triggered the fire:

• The bus hit a motorcycle on the left side of the road.

• The bike’s petrol tank exploded, leaking fuel beneath the bus.

• The bus’s own diesel tank ruptured, accelerating the flames.

• Combustible interiors and jammed doors turned the bus into a death trap.

By the time firefighters arrived, the bus was reduced to ashes. The Kurnool Fire Department stated it took over an hour to control the blaze.

Officials confirmed that the bus was registered in Odisha, not Telangana, and belonged to Kaveri Travels, a private operator under scrutiny for previous challans and safety lapses.

💔 The Human Toll: Families Torn Apart

The human tragedy is immense. Most of the victims were passengers traveling home or to work in Bengaluru.
Reports indicate:

• At least 20 people burnt alive.

• 12 others sustained injuries, some with severe burns.

• 19 passengers managed to escape, many by breaking the windows.

One survivor recalled:

“The flames spread so fast that even reaching the exit was impossible. I jumped through the window. My friends couldn’t.”

Tragically, entire families were lost, including a group of relatives traveling together from Hyderabad. Identification is ongoing through DNA testing due to the extent of burns.

🏥 Rescue, Relief, and Medical Aid

Local residents were the first to respond, rushing with water and tools to help break the glass. Police, fire tenders, and ambulances reached the spot soon after.
The injured were shifted to Kurnool Government Hospital and Nandyal District Hospital for treatment.

Emergency helplines have been set up:

• Andhra Pradesh Control Room: 0866-2488000

• Telangana Helpline: 040-23224000

The Andhra Pradesh and Telangana governments are coordinating relief efforts and ensuring free medical assistance for survivors.

🏛️ Political and National Reaction

The horrifying visuals of the burning bus have shaken the nation. Condolences poured in from across the political spectrum:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the incident “heartbreaking” and announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the PM Relief Fund.

• Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow and directed immediate relief measures, vowing strict action against any negligence.

• YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Siddaramaiah, DK Shivakumar, and Mallikarjun Kharge also expressed condolences on X (Twitter).

• President Droupadi Murmu shared, “Deeply unfortunate. My heart goes out to the families who lost loved ones.”

Actors Mohan Babu and Vishnu Manchu from the Telugu film industry also expressed grief, calling for stricter road safety enforcement.

⚠️ Key Issues Raised by the Kurnool Bus Fire

This tragedy brings several serious concerns to light:

• Fire Safety in Public Transport:
  Most intercity buses lack functioning emergency exits, fire extinguishers, or heat-resistant interiors.

• Vehicle Maintenance and Overloading:
  Investigators found the bus had 16 pending challans, some related to mechanical fitness.

• Regulation of Private Operators:
  Many private travel companies bypass safety inspections to maximize profits, risking passenger lives.

• Mixed Highway Traffic:
  Two-wheelers and heavy buses sharing the same lane at night increase accident probability.

• Emergency Preparedness:
  Even after collision, delayed response and lack of tools to open jammed doors led to higher fatalities.

🔍 Investigation Underway

Authorities have formed a special investigation team (SIT) to probe:

• The sequence of the collision and fire spread.

• The bus operator’s compliance with safety norms.

• Any negligence by the driver or company.

The Andhra Pradesh Transport Department has also announced that murder cases may be filed if negligence is proven.

Meanwhile, the Union Ministry of Road Transport is reviewing fire safety standards for passenger buses, including the mandatory installation of flame-retardant materials and improved emergency exits.

🕯️ Lessons and Reflections

The Kurnool tragedy revives haunting memories of similar accidents — like the 2013 Mahbubnagar Volvo fire, which killed 45 passengers. Despite repeated promises, little has changed in enforcing safety standards.

Every tragedy leaves behind the same questions:

• Why do private bus operators ignore safety compliance?

• Why do emergency exits remain jammed?

• When will road transport prioritize human life over profit?

Until these are answered, highways will continue to witness preventable heartbreaks.

🙏 In Memory of the Victims

As families grieve across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka, the nation stands united in sorrow.
Let this be more than just another news cycle — let it be the moment we demand accountability and ensure no traveler dies because of neglect again.

🕯️ May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may the survivors find strength in the days ahead.