Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, October 24, 2025 — A horrific accident in the early hours of Friday morning on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru National Highway (NH 44) near Chinnatekuru village in Kurnool district resulted in the devastating loss of life, with at least 20 passengers feared dead after a private luxury bus was engulfed in flames.
The incident, which occurred around 3:30 a.m., involved a Volvo sleeper coach operated by Kaveri Travels (also referred to as ‘K Travels’ in some initial reports) traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru. Preliminary police reports suggest the fire was triggered after the bus collided with a motorcycle that became lodged underneath the vehicle, reportedly rupturing the fuel tank and causing sparks.
Rapid Blaze Traps Passengers
The impact of the collision reportedly caused a fire to erupt and spread with terrifying speed, quickly consuming the entire bus. Initial reports indicate the bus was carrying around 41 to 42 passengers. While approximately 12 to 21 passengers managed to escape with injuries, many by breaking open the emergency exit and windows, a significant number of people, including the motorcyclist involved in the collision, were tragically trapped inside and charred to death. The bus door is reported to have jammed, preventing a swift evacuation.
Kurnool Range DIG Koya Praveen noted that the presence of combustible materials inside the bus intensified the blaze. Officials at the Kurnool Government Hospital are coordinating the identification process, which is challenging as many bodies were burnt beyond recognition. DNA sampling is being conducted for identification of the deceased.
Official Response and Investigation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep grief over the tragedy. The Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the PMNRF for the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Chief Minister Naidu, who spoke with officials from Dubai, ordered immediate relief and the best possible medical assistance for the survivors. Telangana officials have also set up a helpline to assist the families of the victims.
Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances of the accident, including whether the bus adhered to necessary fire safety standards. The bus crew, including the driver, reportedly fled the scene immediately after the accident, though one of the drivers has since been taken into custody.
The tragedy comes just days after a similar fatal bus fire in Rajasthan, renewing urgent concerns over passenger safety regulations and the maintenance of long-distance private transport vehicles across the country.
