Kurnool Bus Fire LIVE Updates: Death toll mounts to 20 in Andhra bus tragedy; President Murmu condoles, wishes speedy recovery for injured

For many passengers killed in a fire in the ill-fated private bus in this district on Friday, death struck without a warning.

Several passengers were fast asleep and died without even realizing what was happening when the Bengaluru-bound bus caught fire around 3 AM after an accident involving a motor bike, leaving 20 dead on the spot. Most victims were charred beyond recognition.

The blaze completely gutted the sleeper bus, reducing it to a metal skeleton.

There were some techies onboard when the accident happened and the survivors recalled the tense moments leading to their miraculous escape, even while suffering broken limbs and other minor injuries.

The private bus from Hyderabad to Bengaluru caught fire after colliding with a two-wheeler.

The Congress on Friday demanded accountability after the loss of lives in a bus fire incident in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district, with Rahul Gandhi saying recurrent accidents like these raise serious questions about the safety of public transport systems.

A Bengaluru-bound private bus from Hyderabad caught fire in Kurnool district on Friday after colliding with a two-wheeler, leaving 12 people dead, a senior police official said.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the tragic incident that resulted in the loss of many precious lives is profoundly distressing.

"I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of all the passengers who lost their lives in this tragedy and wish a swift recovery to those injured," he said.

It is imperative to ensure accountability for these unfortunate recurring incidents, Kharge said.

Kurnool SP Vikrant Patel said authorities have recovered 11 bodies from the bus fire, with the toll expected to rise.

According to the driver, the blaze started after the accident, and he, along with the second driver initially tried to douse it with water bottles.

"The driver has said that after the accident, he noticed the fire and woke up the second driver. They thought it was a small fire and tried to put it out with water bottles. Some passengers who woke up escaped and helped to break the windows with the help of other people passing on the highway. They helped many jump out, but unfortunately, many could not be saved," SP added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the Kurnool bus fire in Andhra Pradesh Friday. Extending his thoughts to the affected families, he also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

President Droupadi Murmu expressed grief over the Kurnool bus fire tragedy, calling the loss of lives “deeply unfortunate.” In a post on X, she conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery for those injured.