Kurnool bus tragedy: PM Modi announces Rs 2 lakh ex gratia for families of victims, Rs 50,000 for injured

He also offered an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF that would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000.

Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.

An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be…

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 24, 2025

What happened

At least 12 people died in a massive fire that gutted a bus in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday. The incident occurred between 3 am and 3:10 am when a motorcycle collided with the bus, rupturing its fuel tank and triggering a blaze. There were 41 passengers on board, of whom 21 managed to escape without injuries.

After a preliminary probe, police said that there was an accident involving a motorcycle and that the fuel tank of the bus burst and caught fire, trapping about 40 passengers onboard.

CM Chandrababu Naidu extends support

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed his condolences and grief over the tragedy, assuring full government support to the injured and the bereaved families.

“I am shocked to learn about the devastating bus fire accident near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of those who have lost their loved ones,” he posted on X.

President Droupadi Murmu also expressed sorrow over the loss of lives, calling the incident “deeply unfortunate.”

In a post on X, she conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery for those injured.

The loss of lives in a tragic bus fire accident in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh is deeply unfortunate. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.

— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) October 24, 2025

What caused the bus fire?

A preliminary investigation indicates that the fire was triggered by an accident. According to police and Kurnool district officials, the blaze began after a motorcycle collided with the bus, rupturing the two-wheeler’s fuel tank.

The resultant leakage and friction is believed to have been behind the fire. and that the fuel tank of the bus burst and caught fire, trapping the passengers onboard.