Kurnool Bus Accident: 20 Passengers Burnt Alive After Bus Catches Fire Near Chinna Tekuru, Andhra Pradesh

Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh): A massive tragedy struck Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district early Friday morning when a private bus caught fire after colliding with a motorcycle near Chinna Tekuru village. In this horrifying accident, 20 passengers were burnt alive, while 21 others were rescued with injuries.

According to police officials, the private bus was travelling from Nandyal to Hyderabad with a total of 41 passengers on board. The collision took pl:ace around 3:00 a.m., when a motorcycle suddenly came in front of the bus. The bike got trapped under the vehicle, causing a fuel leak and a massive fire. The flames spread rapidly, engulfing the entire bus within minutes.

Officials confirmed that among the victims was also the motorcyclist. Eyewitnesses said that many passengers were asleep when the incident occurred. The bus door reportedly got jammed due to a short circuit, preventing people from escaping in time.

Kurnool Range DIG Koya Praveen said that 19 passengers, including two children and both drivers, survived the tragedy. The injured have been admitted to Kurnool Government General Hospital, where their condition is being monitored.

District Collector Dr. A. Siri informed that “the accident occurred between 3:00 and 3:10 a.m. near Chinna Tekuru village. Out of 41 passengers, 21 were rescued safely. So far, 11 bodies have been identified, and efforts are underway to identify the remaining victims.”

The horrifying visuals from the spot showed the bus completely charred, leaving rescue teams and locals in shock. Fire tenders and police reached the location immediately, but by the time they arrived, the blaze had already consumed the entire bus.

PM Modi, President Murmu and CM Naidu Express Grief

President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, calling it “deeply unfortunate.” In her post on X, she wrote, “The loss of lives in the Kurnool bus fire is extremely distressing. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mourned the loss of lives and announced financial aid from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF). “Deeply saddened by the Kurnool accident. My thoughts are with the families of the deceased. ₹2 lakh will be provided to the next of kin of each victim, and ₹50,000 to the injured,” he said.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu termed the accident “heartbreaking” and assured complete assistance to the affected families. “My heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. All possible help is being extended,” the CM said in an official statement.

Investigation Underway

Police have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident and are examining the bus’s maintenance records and safety compliance. Preliminary reports suggest that the collision and subsequent fuel leakage triggered the fire.

Authorities are also reviewing the road safety measures along the Hyderabad–Bengaluru highway, where several such fatal accidents have occurred in recent months.

The tragic incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for stricter safety norms for private bus operators, regular vehicle inspections, and emergency preparedness on highways.

Key Highlights

• Location: Chinna Tekuru, Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh
• Time of Accident: Around 3:00 a.m., Friday
• Total Passengers: 41
• Deaths: 20 (including the motorcyclist)
• Rescued: 21
• Cause: Collision with a two-wheeler leading to fuel tank explosion and fire
• Relief: ₹2 lakh for deceased, ₹50,000 for injured (PMNRF)

Tags:

Kurnool bus accident, Andhra Pradesh bus fire, Kurnool district news, Chinna Tekuru accident, Kurnool breaking news, Kurnool fire tragedy, PM Modi condolence, President Murmu news, Chandrababu Naidu statement, Hyderabad to Nandyal bus fire

Reporter: Khabar 24 Express Digital Desk
Location: Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh
Published On: 24 October 2025

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