Bus Fire in Kurnool: Two Engineers Among Victims in Hyderabad-Bengaluru Tragedy

Introduction

On the early morning of 24 October 2025, a private bus belonging to Kaveri Travels travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru caught fire near Chinna Tekuru village in Kurnool district after colliding with a motorcycle. The resultant blaze trapped many passengers, leading to a significant loss of life. The incident, referred to in this article as the Kurnool bus fire Hyderabad Bengaluru­route, has triggered wide concern and official action.

What Happened

• The bus, reportedly carrying around 40–44 passengers, struck a motorcycle on the highway early Friday, which became trapped under the bus and sparked ignition of the fuel tank. 
• The fire spread within minutes, and several passengers attempted to escape by breaking windows. However, many remained trapped or unable to get out. 
• Reports say at least 20 people died in the incident. 
• Among the dead were two software engineers: Ms Anu­s­h Reddy from Yadadri district in Telangana, and Mr Gannamneni Dhathri from Bapatla district in Andhra Pradesh. They were returning home for the Diwali-festival period.

Victims & Identification Efforts

• Authorities have begun forensic-DNA sampling to identify charred remains, since many bodies were severely burnt and unrecognisable. 
• Out of the injured, 12 persons were admitted for treatment; 8 with minor injuries were treated and discharged, while 4 remain under care—one with serious head, leg and arm trauma. 
• The government has announced ex-gratia compensation: families of the deceased from Andhra Pradesh will each receive ₹5 lakh, while injured persons will receive upto ₹2 lakh.

Official Response & Investigation

• The state has formed 16 special investigation teams to probe the incident, examining all angles including vehicle fitness, driver behaviour and regulatory compliance. 
• Officials highlighted that the bus had pending traffic-tickets (16 violations, amounting to ₹23,120) including entries into no-entry zones in Telangana. The fitness certificate for the bus was valid, and the owner claimed it was road-worthy. 
• A major concern was that the bus door jammed after impact, preventing evacuation while the fire spread — this failure is under scrutiny. 

Why This Incident Is Particularly Concerning

• Intercity night-bus routes between Hyderabad and Bengaluru carry large numbers of sleeping passengers — making rapid response and safety systems (fire exits, extinguishers) critical.
• The bus fire outcome echoes a similar disaster in 2013 on the same corridor (Mahabubnagar bus fire) where dozens died under comparable circumstances. 
• The fact that the collision involved a motorcycle which then dragged under the bus indicates potential overspeed or lane violation issues, raising questions about driver vigilance and highway policing.

Kurnool bus fire Hyderabad Bengaluru­route: What Next?

• The investigation report is expected soon; once DNA-matching is complete the bodies will be handed over to families. Relatives are requested to cooperate and await official confirmation before claiming remains.
• Transport departments will likely inspect all inter-state tourist buses, especially on NH-44/Hyd-Bengaluru route, for compliance with fire safety norms (exit doors, extinguishers, seat-layout).
• A review of night-travel regulations, driver rest periods and enforcement of “no-entry zone” violations is expected — especially where repeated offences are noted.

Conclusion on Kurnool bus fire Hyderabad Bengaluru­route

The Kurnool bus fire Hyderabad Bengaluru­route stands out as a tragic reminder of the vulnerabilities in long-distance night-bus travel, especially when fire safety lapses meet mechanical or driver-error triggers. As investigations proceed, what remains paramount is support for grieving families, swift identification of victims, and systemic reforms to prevent a recurrence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What caused the Kurnool bus fire on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru route?
A1: According to police reports, a motorcycle collided with the bus and got trapped under it, sparks ignited the fuel tank and caused the blaze. The bus door reportedly jammed after the impact, blocking escape. 

Q2: How many people died in the Kurnool bus fire Hyderabad Bengaluru­route incident?
A2: At least 20 people have been confirmed dead so far, though the number may change after full investigation. 

Q3: What compensation has been announced for this incident?
A3: The Andhra Pradesh government has announced ₹5 lakh each for families of deceased persons belonging to the state, and upto ₹2 lakh for injured persons.

Q4: Are there safety reforms being initiated after this accident?
A4: Yes — authorities have launched 16 special teams to probe the case; inspections of inter-state buses and scrutiny of safety norms (door functionality, fire extinguishers, driver permits, pending violations) are underway.

Disclaimer: This article provides factual reporting on a tragic transportation incident. It does not constitute legal, financial or medical advice.

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