According to available information, around 42 people were travelling in the bus at the time of the accident, and only 12 people survived.
Published Oct 24, 2025 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Oct 24, 2025 | 4:54 PM
The bus caught fire caught fire at Chinna Tekuru in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.
Synopsis: At least 20 people are feared dead after a bus travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru caught fire in Kurnool of Andhra Pradesh. The bus was completely engulfed in flames soon after it collided with a two-wheeler.
At least 20 people, including two children, are feared dead after a bus travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru caught fire in Kurnool of Andhra Pradesh during the early hours of Friday, 24 October. The bus was completely engulfed in flames soon after it collided with a two-wheeler.
Reports indicated that the two-wheeler was trapped under the bus. The accident occurred on the main road at Chinna Tekur, around 20 km from Kurnool town.
According to available information, there were 40 passengers and two drivers in the bus at the time of the mishap. The drivers and 20 passengers managed to escape while the rest were caught in the fire, according to the initial report.
The deceased include four members of a family from Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh — Golla Ramesh, his wife, Anusha and their children, Shashank and Manhita. Ramesh had been settled in Bengaluru and was returning there after spending Diwali with relatives in Hyderabad.
Reports said the fire broke out around 3.30 am in the front portion of the V Kaveri Travels bus and quickly spread throughout the vehicle. Police said the bus hit a bike and dragged it for nearly a kilometre. In the process, the petrol tank of the bike broke, leading to leakage of the fuel.
The friction caused by the bus dragging the bike resulted in fire as petrol had leaked by then. Flames engulfed the bus within minutes. While some passengers escaped by breaking the glass windows, others could not do so.
According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Praveen, 11 bodies were found so far, and it is feared that there could be more casualties. He added that the fire spread quickly since the bus had flammable materials such as cushioned seats and upholstery.
The injured have been taken to Kurnool Government Hospital for treatment. The local police and Fire and Safety Department promptly reached the spot and initiated a rescue and recovery operation.
Based on preliminary findings, police said that there is a need to examine the materials used to build the bus. The vehicle also did not have enough exits for passengers to escape in the event of a mishap.
According to reports, the fitness validity certificate for the bus expired some months ago. The vehicle also lacked valid insurance.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said the state government will extend all possible support.
“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. Government authorities will extend all possible support to the injured and affected families,” he wrote on X.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy appointed Gadwal District Collector and Superintendent of Police to visit the accident site to oversee relief operations.
“The news of a private bus travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru meeting with a horrific accident in Kurnool district has caused profound shock. The report of several deaths in the accident is deeply distressing. I pray to God that the souls of the deceased find peace, and I express my heartfelt condolences to their families,” Revanth Reddy wrote on X in Telugu.
“I have directed the Chief Secretary and DGP to coordinate with Andhra Pradesh authorities to ensure relief measures are implemented. I have instructed officials to provide better medical assistance to the injured and other relief programs on a war footing. I have directed the Jogulamba Gadwal District Collector and SP to immediately proceed to the accident site and oversee relief operations,” he added.
Andhra Pradesh Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy, who rushed to the site of the accident and reviewed the situation with district officials, also expressed shock and anguish over the tragedy.
Expressing shock, Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said, “On behalf of the government, instructions have been issued to officials to ensure that the injured receive the best possible medical treatment.”
I urge the Transport Department to take all necessary measures to enforce strict safety standards and prevent such accidents in the future.
According to Kurnool District Collector A Siri, the wires connecting the door were damaged due to the bike being stuck under the bus and therefore did not open. This forced the passengers to break the emergency exit, but only some of them managed to escape. Reportedly, one of the drivers was later taken into custody.
“Disturbed and pained by the tragic bus fire accident on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru route near Chinnatekuru village in Kurnool district. Several precious lives were lost and many sustained injuries in this heartbreaking incident. My sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. Wishing strength and a speedy recovery to those injured,” said Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.
“Deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic bus fire near Kurnool on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru route. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. We stand with all those affected and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar wrote on X.
“The news of the tragic bus fire accident near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district is deeply distressing. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. I urge the government to ensure all necessary assistance and medical support to the injured and those affected by this unfortunate incident,” said former Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
The Telangana government established a helpline to facilitate family members of the passengers involved in the bus accident. The Director, Department of Protocol, Hyderabad, is supervising the helpline.
M Sri Rama Chandra, Assistant Secretary: 9912919545; E Chitti BaBu, Section Officer: 9440854433
Control rooms have also been set up in Chinna Tekuru.
Control room number in the Collectorate: 08518-277305; Kurnool Government General Hospital Control Room Number: 9121101059; Control room number at the scene: 9121101061; Kurnool Police Office Control Room Number: 9121101075; Kurnool Government General Hospital Help Desk Numbers: 9494609814, 9052951010. Affected families can contact the above numbers for details.
Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said transport ministers and transport commissioners of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana will convene a meeting soon to ensure steps to prevent such incidents from happening in the future.
Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav expressed deep shock over the private bus accident that occurred at Chinnatekur village in Kallur mandal of Kurnool district.
He directed the Superintendent of Kurnool Government General Hospital (GGH) to provide the best possible medical services to the injured. DNA samples are being collected to identify the deceased.
“There are bodies still inside the bus. Depending on the situation, we are prepared to conduct post-mortems at the accident site itself,” the Minister said.
Forensic doctors have been dispatched to the accident spot, and Maha Prasthanam vehicles have been kept ready to transport the bodies.
Twelve people with minor injuries have been admitted to the hospital. After receiving first aid, six of them have already been discharged.
“One person sustained severe injuries after falling from a height in the bus, but his condition remains stable,” said Satya Kumar Yadav, Minister for Health and Family Welfare.
