For many passengers killed in a fire on the ill-fated private bus in this district on Friday, death struck without warning. The Bengaluru-bound private bus from Hyderabad caught fire in Kurnool district of Andhra on Friday after colliding with a two-wheeler, leaving 20 people dead, most of them charred beyond recognition.
Several passengers were fast asleep and died without even realising what was happening when the Bengaluru-bound coach caught fire around 3 am after an accident involving a motorbike, leaving 20 people dead at the scene. Most victims were charred beyond recognition. The blaze completely gutted the sleeper bus, reducing it to a metal skeleton.
There were some IT professionals onboard when the accident occurred, and survivors have recalled the tense moments leading to their miraculous escape, even while suffering broken limbs and other minor injuries. The private bus, travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru, caught fire after colliding with a two-wheeler.
Only a few, jolted awake by the flames, managed to break the windows and escape through the emergency exit.
Nellore-based S Harika said she was asleep and, "when I woke up I saw fire engulfing the bus which spread within seconds." "The rear door was broken by a passenger for escaping and we all jumped out from it and I suffered a minor injury on the forehead," she told the media. An IT employee, Harika is now under observation in a hospital and stated her condition was fine. She confirmed she works for an IT company in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and is a native of Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh. She was travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru for personal reasons.
Surya, a survivor who lives in Hyderabad, said the fire engulfed the bus around 2:45 am. He mentioned he was heading to Bengaluru for a job interview at a top IT firm on Saturday. "My legs are fractured because I jumped from over 15 feet height. The doctor said I will be fine soon," he told the media. Surya added that there were a couple of IT professionals with him on the bus. "Me and Naveen (IT employee), one of the passengers that I had a conversation with, also jumped out from the bus and is now beside me in the hospital. I don't think I will be able to give an interview in this situation. The local authorities are arranging a vehicle for our way back home along with a police official to ensure safety," Surya said.
Another passenger, who was undergoing treatment for minor injuries, said: "The loud noise woke me up instantly. There was a lot of smoke in the bus."
According to Kurnool District Collector A. Siri, a total of 41 people, including the driver, were on the bus. Of the 41 onboard, 21 have been traced. Those who escaped the accident are stable and out of danger, she said.
The Collector noted that many passengers could not escape the tragedy because it occurred during the night when they were asleep. She also said the bus door did not open immediately as some wires were severed, which increased the severity of the tragedy. Most of the passengers were from Hyderabad, Siri added.
The Telangana government has announced an ex-gratia of ₹5 lakh to the kin of those who died in a the tragedy.
As per the directives of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, those injured in the accident would be provided with a financial assistance of ₹2 lakh, state Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said.
The government would also take steps to provide advanced medical care to the injured, Prabhakar said in a post on X.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his Deputy DK Shivakumar have expressed sorrow over the loss of lives.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, expressed condolences over the incident and announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister National Relief Fund for the families of those who have died and ₹50,00 to those who were injured in the fire.
Also read: Andhra bus catches fire, kills 20 after hitting bike
Follow us
