A private bus traveling from Hyderabad to Bangalore caught fire on Friday after colliding with a two-wheeler, resulting in 20 deaths. Most victims died from burns in the fire, according to a senior police officer.
The officer stated that the deceased include the motorcycle rider.
Several officials expressed grief over the incident.
Some bodies were burned beyond recognition, forcing authorities to call a forensic team to collect DNA samples from the deceased.
An officer reported that many passengers could not escape the accident because it occurred at night while they were sleeping.
Financial assistance was announced for the victims.
Initial information suggests that the motorcycle collided with the bus near Chinnatekuru in Kurnool, went under the bus, and its fuel tank cap opened.
So far, 19 bodies have been recovered from the burned bus. The motorcycle rider’s body is at the morgue.
The complete situation regarding casualties and survivors will only become clear after a full investigation and identification of all people involved in the accident.
Police reported that a short circuit caused the bus door to jam, and the bus burned completely within minutes. Most survivors are between 25 and 35 years old.
The bus was carrying 41 people, including the driver. Twenty-one of the 41 passengers on the bus have been identified. The condition of those who survived the accident is stable and they are out of danger.
Many passengers could not get out of the bus after the accident because it happened at night while they were sleeping. The bus door did not open immediately because some wires were cut, which increased the severity of the accident. Most passengers were from Hyderabad.
Authorities initially stated that the bus was heading to Hyderabad in the neighboring state.
Police are taking security precautions and emptying the bus’s diesel tank. Meanwhile, a team of medical experts has arrived at the scene to collect DNA samples from the burned bodies.
The bus that caught fire had no fire control measures, revealing deficiencies in safety compliance and emergency preparations during travel.
Financial assistance was announced from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund – 200,000 rupees will be given to the family of each deceased person, and 50,000 rupees will be given to the injured.
The state government has launched a helpline to assist family members of passengers on the private bus traveling from Hyderabad to Bangalore.
