4 burnt alive in Vijayawada as electric car hits divider, catches fire
Synopsis
Four people — including a child — were burnt alive in seconds after an electric car struck a road divider and burst into flames on Vijayawada's West Bypass Road on Monday. The incident, one of three vehicle fire events in AP and Telangana on the same day, raises urgent questions about EV fire safety and road divider design on high-speed bypass roads.
Key Takeaways
Four persons, including a child, were burnt alive after an electric car caught fire on Vijayawada West Bypass Road on 12 October 2026 .
The deceased are Kommareddy Ramdev (39) , his mother Kommareddy Aruna , T.
Vijay , and a child — all residents of Nunna and Namburu .
A fifth occupant survived with grievous injuries and remains in a critical condition in hospital.
Nara Lokesh , Minister for HRD and IT, called the deaths 'deeply shocking' and directed authorities to ensure medical care for the survivor.
On the same day, an electric bus caught fire near Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad , and a car caught fire near Gachibowli ORR — both without casualties.
Four persons, including a child, were burnt alive on Monday, 12 October after an electric car collided with a road divider and burst into flames on the Vijayawada West Bypass Road in Andhra Pradesh. A fifth occupant sustained grievous injuries and was shifted to a hospital, where his condition is stated to be critical.
Who the Victims Were
The deceased have been identified as Kommareddy Ramdev, 39, his mother Kommareddy Aruna, T. Vijay, and a child. All were residents of Nunna and Namburu and were reportedly returning from a function in Namburu when the tragedy struck.
How the Fire Unfolded
According to reports, the car hit the road divider, and within seconds flames engulfed the entire vehicle, trapping four of the five occupants before they could escape. Police and fire-fighting personnel rushed to the spot and doused the blaze, but the vehicle was completely gutted. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to ascertain the cause of the crash.
Minister's Response
Nara Lokesh, Minister for Human Resource Development and IT, described the deaths as 'deeply shocking' and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He said he has instructed authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the critically injured survivor.
A Pattern of EV Fire Incidents on the Same Day
The Vijayawada tragedy was not an isolated event on Monday. In Hyderabad, an electric bus caught fire near the PNT Flyover, close to Begumpet Airport, at around 5:30 pm, causing a traffic jam on the busy stretch — though no casualties were reported. Separately, a Volkswagen car rammed into a divider and caught fire near Outer Ring Road (ORR) Exit No. 1 in the Financial District, Gachibowli, in the early hours of Monday; its occupants managed to exit safely before fire tenders arrived. The clustering of three vehicle fire incidents in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on a single day is likely to intensify scrutiny of road safety infrastructure and EV fire safety standards in the region.
Point of View
Two narrowly not — should not be dismissed as coincidence. The Vijayawada tragedy spotlights a specific, recurring risk: electric vehicles involved in high-impact collisions can ignite catastrophically fast, leaving occupants no escape window. India's EV adoption push has outpaced regulatory frameworks for crash-fire safety standards, and bypass roads with poorly protected dividers compound the hazard. The fact that a minister's response centred on condolences and medical care — rather than a safety audit — underscores how reactive, rather than preventive, the official posture remains.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Vijayawada car fire accident on 12 October 2026?
Four people, including a child, were burnt alive after an electric car hit a road divider and caught fire on the Vijayawada West Bypass Road on 12 October 2026. A fifth occupant survived with critical injuries.
Who were the victims of the Vijayawada electric car fire?
The deceased were identified as Kommareddy Ramdev (39), his mother Kommareddy Aruna, T. Vijay, and a child. They were residents of Nunna and Namburu and were returning from a function in Namburu at the time.
What did Minister Nara Lokesh say about the Vijayawada car fire deaths?
Nara Lokesh, Andhra Pradesh's Minister for Human Resource Development and IT, called the deaths 'deeply shocking' and offered condolences to the families. He also instructed authorities to ensure proper medical treatment for the critically injured survivor.
Were there other vehicle fire incidents in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on the same day?
Yes. An electric bus caught fire near the PNT Flyover close to Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad at around 5:30 pm on the same day, with no casualties reported. Separately, a Volkswagen car caught fire near ORR Exit No. 1 in Gachibowli; its occupants escaped safely.
What is the current status of the investigation into the Vijayawada accident?
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. The exact circumstances — including vehicle speed and road conditions — are yet to be officially established.
