How the Kurnool bus fire accident that killed 20 unfolded: ‘The emergency windows didn’t open’

 

The death toll in the bus fire accident that happened on National Highway 44  at Chinnatekur, a suburb of Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool, has touched 20, according to local media reports. The bus, belonging to Kaveri Travels, was en route from Hyderabad to Bangalore when it collided with a two-wheeler before erupting into flames.

While authorities have yet to confirm the toll and other details, eyewitness accounts appearing in local media reports suggest that the fuel tank of the two-wheeler burst, triggering the blaze.  

The fire reportedly broke out around 3:30 a.m. in the front portion of the bus. It quickly spread throughout the vehicle.

A passenger on the bus, identified as Shiva, told Telugu channel NTV that almost all passengers were asleep when the incident happened. “The bus hit a bike and dragged it along for some time. The fuel tank of the two-wheeler exploded at that moment. Most of us learned about the incident only after the fire broke out. The emergency windows weren’t working, but some of us managed to break the windows and jump out,” he said, adding that there were children inside the bus.

He added that people struggled to breathe due to the smoke, which filled the bus.

As per unconfirmed reports, 12 passengers managed to escape by breaking the emergency door. They were taken to a nearby hospital. Byreddy Shabari, MP of Nandyal, told reporters that the incident happened in minutes. "This bus caught fire in  minutes. We could save about 19 people. They have been admitted to the hospital. We couldn't identify the rest of the people because their bodies were completely burnt,” she said.  

CM Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep shock over the incident. The CM, who is on a tour in  Dubai, supervised the rescue operations and ordered immediate medical assistance to the injured and assistance to the families of the deceased. The police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Entire family dies

The tragic fire claimed the life of a family from Nellore. As per local media,    Golla Ramesh (35), wife Anusha (30), children Shashank (12), and Manyata (10), all from Gollavaripalli in Vinjamur mandal of Nellore district, died in the accident. 

India