How Kurnool bus tragedy unfolded: From bike collision to deadly inferno

HYDERABAD: A midnight journey from Hyderabad to Bengaluru turned into a deadly inferno early Friday when a private Kaveri Travels bus caught fire after colliding with a bike near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district. The accident, which killed at least 20 passengers, has exposed serious lapses in fire safety measures on private long-distance buses.

Moment of impact

According to preliminary investigation, the bus was travelling at high speed when it rammed into a bike around 5am. The collision caused sparks that instantly ignited a fire near the bus’s front section. Within seconds, the flames spread inside the passenger cabin, fuelled by synthetic upholstery, curtains, and plastic fittings.

Officials said the bus was packed with over 43 passengers, most of whom were asleep. The driver and cleaner attempted to douse the flames but were quickly forced back by intense heat and smoke.

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Fire spreads in minutes

Witnesses said the blaze engulfed the entire vehicle in less than five minutes. “People were screaming for help, but the main door jammed and could not be opened,” said a local resident who helped in rescue efforts. Some passengers smashed windows to escape, but many were trapped as the fire spread rapidly from the front to the rear.

Twelve passengers managed to jump out through broken windows, many sustaining severe burn injuries. The rest were charred inside the bus before fire engines reached the spot.

Officials rule out fuel tank explosion

Deputy inspector general Koya Praveen said that while the bike impact triggered the fire, the bus’s combustible interiors made it uncontrollable. “The fuel tank did not explode. The materials used inside — synthetic seats, curtains, and foam — burned intensely, producing toxic fumes,” he said.

District medical officer Dr Siri confirmed that 21 bodies have been recovered. “Eleven have been identified so far, while nine remain unrecognised. The extent of burns made identification difficult,” she added.

Safety lapses under scrutiny

Officials noted that the bus lacked basic fire suppression systems and had no emergency exits apart from the main door. The extent of damage has prompted the transport department to order a safety audit of all private buses operating night services on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru route.

Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed condolences and directed officials to provide relief to victims’ families and medical care to the injured.

Bus records show valid documents and permits

Transport department data revealed that the ill-fated bus was a legally operating tourist vehicle with all documents up to date.

Vehicle Number: DD01N9490
Owner: Vemuri Kaveri Travels (Prop. Vemuri Vinod Kumar, C/O G Bijaya Laxmi, Sai Laxmi Nagar, Rayagada, Odisha, 765001)
Date of Purchase: May 2, 2018
Initial Registration: August 8, 2018, at Daman and Diu
Re-registration: April 29, 2025, at Rayagada RTO, Odisha
Base Permit (Tourist Permit): Valid from May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2030 (issued by Odisha authorities)
All India Tourist Permit (AITP): Valid from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026 (issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways)
Fitness Certificate: Valid up to March 31, 2027 (issued by Silvassa, Daman and Diu)
Road Tax: Paid up to March 31, 2026
Insurance: Valid up to April 20, 2026 (New India Assurance Company Limited)