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According to initial information, the private travel bus was carrying around 40 passengers at the time of the incident.
After the collision, the bus was completely burnt to ashes near Chinnatekuru village on the outskirts of Kurnool. (x)
At least 20 people died when a private sleeper bus carrying 40 people traveling to Bengaluru caught fire in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district early Friday.
The bus, operating under Kaveri Travels, started its journey from Hyderabad around midnight, and when it was near Ulindakonda on the outskirts of Kurnool city, a two-wheeler coming from behind collided with it and was dragged down with the fuel cap open, causing a fire which quickly spread throughout the vehicle.
According to initial information, the private travel bus was carrying around 40 passengers at the time of the incident. Initially the fire started in the front part of the bus and gradually spread throughout the vehicle.
About 12 passengers managed to escape before the fire spread rapidly, but many others were unable to escape in time. About 11 injured passengers were immediately admitted to Kurnool District Hospital for treatment.
Eyewitnesses reported that screams for help were heard before the bus was completely engulfed in flames. Local people reached the spot and tried to save the injured before the fire brigade arrived.
“Around 19 passengers, two children and two drivers survived the accident,” Kurnool Range DIG Koya Praveen told news agency PTI.
Due to short circuit, the door of the bus got jammed and within a few minutes the vehicle was completely burnt to ashes. Police further reported that most of the survivors were between 25 and 35 years of age.
talking to cnn-news18Andhra Pradesh Transport Minister Mandipalli Rama Prasad Reddy described the accident as “unfortunate” and confirmed that the department received information around 4:45 am. According to initial reports, a two-wheeler collided with the bus, causing a fire and within no time the vehicle was engulfed in flames.
“There were more than 40 passengers on the bus at that time. At the moment, we do not know the exact number of deaths, but it could be around 28 to 30,” the minister said. He said that as the rescue operation is ongoing, more than 10 injured passengers have been admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav said DNA samples were being collected to identify the deceased.
He said, “The bodies are in the bus. We are also ready to conduct postmortem of the bodies as per the circumstances at the incident site. Forensic doctors have been sent to the incident site. We are also collecting DNA samples to identify the deceased.”
President Murmu, others express grief
Meanwhile, President Draupadi Murmu has expressed grief and sorrow over the tragic incident. “The loss of lives in a tragic bus fire accident in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh is extremely unfortunate. I express my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Rashtrapati Bhavan said in a post on Twitter.
The loss of lives in a tragic bus fire accident in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh is extremely unfortunate. I express my heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.- President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) 24 October 2025
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the incident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
“Extremely saddened by the loss of life and property due to an accident in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families in this difficult time. Pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh will be given to the kin of each deceased from PMNRF. Rs 50,000 will be given to the injured,” the PMO said in a post on Twitter.
Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to an accident in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families in this difficult time. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured. Ex-gratia amount of one lakh rupees. Will get Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF…
– PMO India (@PMOIndia) 24 October 2025
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed grief over the tragic incident and assured all possible help to the victims and their families.
“I am shocked to learn about the devastating bus fire accident near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district. My heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their loved ones. Government officials will provide all possible assistance to the injured and affected families,” he said in a post on Twitter.
I am shocked to learn about the devastating bus fire accident near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district. My heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have lost their loved ones. Government officials will provide all possible assistance to the injured and…- N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) 24 October 2025
He has also spoken to the state Chief Secretary and other officials to know the details of the incident and has directed all senior officials to reach the spot and participate in the rescue operations. The Chief Minister also directed that necessary assistance should be provided to the injured and affected. CM advised to take necessary steps to stop the death toll from increasing.
Getting a credit card for more than a year Chief Minister Chandrababu expressed confusion I have one more money. Select another option View another post Thank you. I have a good option…
– Telugu Desam Party (@JaiTDP) 24 October 2025
Telugu Desam Party (TDP) general secretary Lokesh Nara also expressed his deep condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. He wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy also expressed grief over the accident and expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. He directed the state officials to coordinate with Andhra Pradesh officials and take necessary relief measures.
He spoke to state Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao and DGP B Shivadhar Reddy regarding the accident and suggested setting up a helpline immediately. Gadwal District Collector and Superintendent of Police (SP) have been instructed to visit the accident site.
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed grief and said that the incident was extremely sad and deeply shocked. He expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this horrific accident.
The news of the tragic bus fire accident near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district is extremely saddening. I express my heartfelt condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. I urge the government to ensure all necessary assistance and medical aid to the injured…- YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) 24 October 2025
Jagan also urged the government to provide generous financial assistance and support to the bereaved families. He also appealed to the authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured passengers being treated in hospitals.
The incident came days after a similar bus fire in Rajasthan, where 22 people, including three children, were killed and 13 others were seriously injured when a bus going from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire near Thaiyat village on October 14. The fire is believed to have been caused by a suspected short circuit in the vehicle’s air conditioning unit, which led to gas leakage.
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and international news. He is interested in everyday political affairs and geopolitics of India. She earned a BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben…read more
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and international news. He is interested in everyday political affairs and geopolitics of India. She earned a BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben… read more
Kurnool, India, India
October 24, 2025, 06:57 IST
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