How the accident unfolded
According to preliminary reports, the crash occurred at around 2:45 am when a two-wheeler — ridden by a local youth identified as Shiva Shankar (21), a daily wage worker from Tandrapadu village — collided with the bus, reportedly striking its fuel tank. The impact ignited a massive fire that spread rapidly through the coach.
Local residents, police, fire service teams and medical staff responded immediately. Rescue teams pulled at least 21 passengers to safety, while many others were found badly burned. Shiva Shankar was pronounced dead at the scene, bringing the confirmed death toll to 20.
Victims, DNA collection and hospitalisation
Several victims were charred beyond recognition, forcing authorities to call in forensic teams for DNA sample collection to establish identities. Kurnool District Collector Dr. A. Siri confirmed initial recoveries and said a detailed post-mortem and DNA profiling process has begun.
Injured passengers have been admitted to nearby hospitals. Officials say the number of critically injured includes those with severe burn injuries and trauma from the collision. Local hospitals have been coordinating with district authorities for blood, burn care and counselling services.
Official response and relief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident and announced ex-gratia assistance from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF): ₹2 lakh for next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. The PMO statement underlined the government’s commitment to supporting affected families.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, who was in Dubai on official business, directed senior officials to rush to the site and oversee relief operations. Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy extended condolences and said his state would coordinate with Andhra authorities; the Telangana government also set up a helpline to assist families.
Probe and safety concerns
A high-level inquiry has been ordered to determine the exact cause and confirm whether safety lapses by the private operator contributed to the scale of the tragedy. Investigators will focus on the bus’s maintenance record, availability and functionality of fire extinguishers, emergency exits and driver alertness.
District officials flagged the need to examine whether private inter-city operators meet mandated safety norms. Insiders say preliminary evidence points to the fuel-tank impact as the immediate trigger, but a full technical probe will establish fault lines.
What survivors say
Survivors described a scene of “noise, thick smoke and chaos” as flames spread. Several passengers said they were sleeping when the collision and subsequent explosion jolted the vehicle. Quick action by nearby residents and first responders helped many escape, survivors added.
Context and next steps
Accidents that involve fuel-tank ruptures often produce rapid, intense fires; investigators will work with forensic and technical teams to reconstruct the sequence. Authorities have pledged transparent updates as DNA results and post-mortem findings become available.
