Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh), Oct 24 (NationPress) Tragically, 19 individuals lost their lives in a horrific incident when a private Volvo bus, transporting over 40 passengers, erupted into flames after colliding with a two-wheeler in Kurnool early Friday morning.

The bus, operated by a private travel company, was registered in Odisha and was en route from Hyderabad to Bengaluru. The accident occurred near Chinnatekur village on the outskirts of Kurnool around 3:30 a.m.

According to police reports, 21 passengers managed to escape by using the emergency exits and breaking glass windows. However, a few individuals remain unaccounted for.

The bus, owned by Vkaveri Travels, was carrying 43 people, including two drivers, with the group consisting of 10 women and 2 children.

Kurnool District Collector A. Siri informed reporters at the scene that of the 41 people on board, they have successfully located 21 survivors. Eleven of these individuals were transported to hospitals in Kurnool, all of whom are currently in stable condition.

The bus departed from Hyderabad around 10:30 p.m. and was nearing Kurnool on National Highway 44 (NH-44) when a two-wheeler collided with it at approximately 3:30 a.m. The motorcycle became lodged under the bus, creating sparks and a fuel leak that ignited the fire.

Survivors reported that the two-wheeler was dragged for about 300 meters before the blaze began at the front of the bus where the bike was caught.

Many passengers were asleep during the accident. Survivors noted that the bus door was jammed, which contributed to the fatalities. One survivor recalled waking to screams of "fire" and breaking a rear window to escape.

Akash, a survivor, described how the bus was engulfed in flames within minutes. Most passengers were from Hyderabad.

The motorcyclist, identified as Shiva Shankar (20), a resident of Kurnool, also perished in the incident.

By the time emergency services arrived, the bus was completely consumed by fire. Authorities quickly acted to transport the injured to medical facilities.

The Collector stated that investigators need to determine if the bus struck the motorcycle or if the motorcycle collided with the bus and became lodged due to the impact, which led to the fire.

Deputy Inspector General of Police Koya Praveen confirmed that the fire originated from the motorcycle. “The bus's fuel tank remained intact, but the fire began from the bike's fuel tank. The materials beneath the bus were highly flammable, causing the fire to spread rapidly,” he explained.

The DIG noted that of the two drivers, one has been detained while the other remains missing.

A team of officials, including forensic specialists, retrieved the bodies. Due to the severe charred condition, DNA testing will be necessary for identification.

Following the orders of Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, the Gadwal District Collector and Superintendent of Police were dispatched to assist the families of both the deceased and the survivors.

Thirteen ambulances have departed from Hyderabad to transport the bodies back to Kurnool.

Officials reported that the victims hail from Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.

Andhra Pradesh Transport Minister M. Ramprasad Reddy visited the accident site and assured that the state government would extend all necessary support to the families affected.