In the early hours of Friday, a private sleeper-bus travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru caught fire near Chinnatekuru village along NH-44 in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, leaving at least 21 people dead and many others wounded.
Authorities reported that the bus, operated by Vemuri Kaveri Travels, was carrying 41 passengers. The crash happened at approximately 2:45 a.m. when a motorcycle collided with the bus’s fuel tank, sparking a blaze that engulfed the vehicle within minutes.
Rescue teams recovered 11 charred bodies so far—several beyond recognition—prompting forensic units to begin DNA sampling for identification. Eleven passengers escaped, and others were rushed to nearby hospitals with severe burn injuries. Local residents and police intervened swiftly, but the rapid spread of the fire limited evacuation efforts.
The bus’s top‐mounted door reportedly jammed during the blaze, forcing desperate passengers to escape through broken side windows. Investigators are now probing safety measures including fire extinguishers, emergency exits, and vehicle certification.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and announced ex-gratia payments of ₹2 lakh for each deceased’s next of kin and ₹50,000 for the injured.
A full judicial inquiry has been ordered to examine operator liability, vehicle safety compliance, and enforcement of regulations on luxury sleeper coaches. The incident once again raises questions about inter-city bus safety standards, especially during overnight travel.
