Survivors recount horror as Kurnool bus fire claims 20 lives
Survivors recount horror as Kurnool bus fire claims 20 lives
At least 20 people died when a private Hyderabad-Bengaluru bus caught fire near Kurnool, trapping passengers and prompting a desperate escape.
The worst bus tragedy in recent memory unfolded on the outskirts of Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh when a private bus travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru burst into flames, killing 20 people and injuring many more. Passengers say the vehicle was suddenly engulfed in smoke and fire, leaving survivors scrambling for any possible exit.
Rama Reddy, a survivor who managed to escape, recalled: “As soon as I came out, the entire bus was engulfed by flames. People inside were burnt alive. We were taken to the hospital by a passerby and I fell unconscious soon after I was moved into the vehicle. I regained consciousness at around 6am and informed my family that I was safe.” The account underscores how quickly the blaze spread and the chaos that followed.
Another survivor, Subrahmanyam from Kakinada, described the thick smoke that obscured visibility: “The bus was filled with smoke. I could barely see. We broke the rear windows and jumped out with great difficulty. I can’t imagine what would have happened to me, had the emergency window not opened on time.” His emphasis on the emergency features saving lives echoes similar testimonies from others on board. Jayant Kushwaha, 27, who escaped unharmed, said the ambulance and fire trucks arrived only after nearly an hour, highlighting delays in emergency response. A passing policewoman who stopped and called for help also played a crucial role in alerting authorities.
Another passenger, who boarded the Moosapet stop, said he escaped with three others after breaking open the emergency door and leaping to safety as flames surged. These first-hand accounts paint a harrowing picture of a night of panic, smoke, and desperate bids for survival.
Officials have promised swift action and accountability. Police and emergency services faced challenges reaching the scene promptly, while authorities set up a control room and formed forensic teams to investigate the cause of the blaze. In the wake of the tragedy, government officials announced compensation for the victims and outlined steps to review bus-safety norms and emergency exit protocols to prevent a repeat of such a disaster.
The incident arrives amid ongoing concerns about road safety and vehicle maintenance across the region, intensifying calls for rigorous safety checks and better enforcement of passenger-transport standards. As families in Kurnool mourn, the focus now turns to investigations, accountability, and concrete reforms to protect travelers in the future.
Cover image source: Naidu expresses grief over Kurnool bus tragedy, orders immediate relief and inquiry 🔗
