October 24, 2025 | Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
In a horrifying early-morning accident that has left southern India reeling, at least 25 people were killed and several others injured when a private sleeper bus erupted in flames after colliding with a motorcycle on the busy Hyderabad-Bengaluru National Highway (NH-44). The incident occurred around 3 a.m. in Chinnatekuru village on the outskirts of Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, approximately 210 km south of Hyderabad.
The ill-fated Kaveri Travels AC sleeper bus, carrying 41 to 44 passengers—many of whom were asleep during the overnight journey from Hyderabad, Telangana, to Bengaluru, Karnataka—slammed into the motorcycle from behind. The two-wheeler, ridden by local resident Shiv Shankar, got trapped under the bus chassis and was dragged for a short distance, rupturing its fuel tank and igniting sparks that quickly engulfed the vehicle's own fuel reserves. The blaze spread with terrifying speed through the enclosed sleeper compartments, trapping passengers inside as the main door jammed amid the chaos.
Eyewitnesses and survivors described a scene of utter pandemonium. "Only a few were awake; we broke windows to escape," recounted one survivor, who leapt to safety with minor injuries after locals on the highway rushed to smash open emergency exits. The bus driver, who noticed the initial flames, attempted to douse them with a fire extinguisher and water bottles but was overwhelmed by the inferno's intensity. Both the driver and the bus cleaner reportedly fled the scene, and police are now hunting for them as part of the ongoing probe.
The death toll stands at 25, including the motorcyclist, with most victims charred beyond recognition—prompting authorities to collect DNA samples from the remains for identification. At least 18 passengers escaped, though several are receiving treatment for burns and smoke inhalation at nearby hospitals in Kurnool. Forensic teams have descended on the site, where the gutted bus skeleton—its frame twisted and blackened—serves as a grim testament to the tragedy.
The accident has drawn swift responses from across state lines, underscoring the interstate nature of the route. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, briefed immediately on the incident, ordered a high-level probe and directed senior officials to the scene to oversee rescue operations and ensure medical aid for the injured. "Provide all necessary support to the bereaved families and the best care for the survivors," Naidu instructed, announcing ex-gratia payments alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's relief package: Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy convened an emergency meeting, dispatching officials from the nearby Gadwal district and Genco CMD Dr. S. Harish to assist survivors and families. In a poignant show of solidarity, neighboring Karnataka—home to many of the passengers—has mobilized a team of Transport Department officials from the Bagepalli Regional Transport Office (RTO) to Kurnool. Their mandate: verify victim identities, particularly those from Karnataka, and extend comprehensive aid to grieving families, including logistical support for repatriating remains.
Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy emphasized the urgency of the response: "We are still verifying details about how many victims are from Karnataka. I have already directed RTO officials from Bagepalli to travel to Kurnool... to coordinate with local authorities, gather information about the victims, and assist their families." Reddy also highlighted ongoing safety reforms, noting that since his 2013 tenure, over 50,000 buses in the state have been fitted with additional emergency exits—a measure he reiterated as critical following this disaster. He added that Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses are capped at 80 km/h and restricted to left lanes to minimize risks.
The tragedy has reignited debates on road safety along the congested 550-km Hyderabad-Bengaluru corridor, notorious for high-speed private buses and erratic driving. Motorist Sagar Kumar lamented, "This highway should technically have six lanes... It’s a nightmare even during the day. Many private bus operators also cut corners on safety measures." Officials have vowed to intensify speed checks and surveillance, but for the families shattered by this preventable horror, such promises come too late.
As investigations continue, the focus remains on supporting the survivors and honoring the lost. Former Andhra Pradesh CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy echoed national grief, urging "generous financial assistance" and top-tier medical care. In Kurnool's hospitals and highwayside vigils, the human cost of this fiery dawn lingers—a stark call for urgent reforms on India's perilous roads.
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