At least 25 people have been confirmed dead and several others injured after a passenger bus caught fire following a collision with a motorcycle on a highway in southern India’s Andhra Pradesh state on Friday, October 24.
According to reports, the tragic accident occurred when the motorcycle became trapped under the moving bus, causing its fuel tank to rupture and trigger an explosion that engulfed the entire vehicle in flames within minutes. The bus, which was carrying 44 passengers, was traveling along a highway in Kurnool district when the incident occurred.
Senior police official Vikrant Patil told the Associated Press that the bus was struck from behind by the motorcycle and dragged for some distance before the fire erupted. “As the smoke started spreading, the driver stopped the bus and tried to put the fire out by using a fire extinguisher, but the fire was so intense he couldn’t control it,” Patil said.
Many passengers were reportedly asleep at the time of the accident. While some managed to escape by smashing windows and jumping out, others were trapped inside and fatally burned. Police confirmed that the rider of the motorcycle also died in the incident.
“So far, 19 bodies have been recovered,” senior police officer Koya Praveen told news agency PTI, adding that rescue operations were still ongoing.
Witnesses said the bus driver fled the scene after the explosion. Authorities have since launched an investigation into the cause of the accident and the driver’s disappearance.
India’s President Droupadi Murmu paid tribute to the victims, posting on X (formerly Twitter), “The loss of lives in a tragic bus fire accident in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh is deeply unfortunate. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”
The tragedy highlights ongoing concerns about road safety in India, where thousands die annually in traffic accidents caused by speeding, poor vehicle maintenance, and inadequate road conditions.
DreamBiz Entertain has reached out to the Telangana State Police for further comment.
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