Was the Biker Drunk in the Andhra Bus Fire Tragedy?
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Synopsis
The tragic bus fire in Andhra Pradesh, which led to the loss of 19 lives, raises serious questions about negligence and safety regulations. A biker's intoxication is at the center of this horrifying incident. Explore the details surrounding this disaster and the implications for road safety.
Key Takeaways
- Intoxication of the biker was confirmed by forensic evidence.
- 19 passengers lost their lives in the tragic bus fire.
- The bus driver tested sober, raising questions about safety protocols.
- Authorities are investigating licensing violations related to the bus driver.
- Calls for stricter enforcement of road safety regulations are growing.
Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh), Oct 26 (NationPress) — The motorcyclist involved in the tragic bus fire incident on Friday, which claimed the lives of 19 passengers, was indeed intoxicated, as confirmed by a senior police official on Sunday. In contrast, the bus driver tested negative for alcohol.
The reckless behavior exhibited by the biker, evident in the CCTV footage acquired by authorities, corroborated suspicions of his inebriation. A forensic report released on Sunday verified that B. Shiva Shankar (22), who perished after his motorcycle veered off the road and collided with a divider, was under the influence of alcohol.
The Superintendent of Police for Kurnool, B. Vikrant Patil, informed reporters that the analysis of viscera samples confirmed that the motorcyclist was indeed intoxicated.
Shiva Shankar's companion, Erriswamy, who was riding as a passenger, confessed to the police that both had consumed alcohol prior to the incident.
Authorities reported that Shiva Shankar died after colliding with the divider near Chinnatekur, while Erriswamy, who sustained minor injuries, fled the scene in fear as he witnessed the bus engulfed in flames.
Erriswamy recounted to the police that he attempted to move Shiva Shankar's body to safety and was about to remove the motorcycle from the road when the speeding bus struck it, dragging it for a considerable distance.
The private bus, en route from Hyderabad to Bengaluru and carrying 46 individuals including two drivers, was completely consumed by flames.
Tragically, 19 passengers, including two children, were incinerated, while 27 others, including the drivers, managed to escape by shattering windows.
Investigations revealed that the bus dragged the motorcycle for approximately 200 meters, with the resulting friction and fuel spillage igniting the catastrophic fire that engulfed the entire double-decker.
Following the identification of a second individual through CCTV footage recorded at a nearby petrol station shortly before the crash, police apprehended Erriswamy from his village, Tuggali, on Saturday.
Subsequently, a First Information Report (FIR) was filed based on a complaint from one of the bus passengers.
The bus driver, Miriyala Lakshmaiah, along with the owner of V. Kaveri Travels, Vemuri Vinod Kumar, has been charged under BNS Sections 125(a) and 106(1) for causing death due to reckless or negligent actions.
The Superintendent of Police announced that a separate FIR has been lodged concerning the motorcycle accident.
In response to Erriswamy's complaint, a case has been registered at the Ulindakonda police station against the deceased Shiva Shankar for negligence and driving under the influence.
Preliminary inquiries indicate that the bus driver failed to notice the motorcycle on the roadway, which led to the catastrophic collision. Reports suggest that other buses had successfully navigated around the motorcycle prior to the incident.
The police are further investigating the legitimacy of the bus driver's license, which is suspected to have been obtained through fraudulent means.
Lakshmaiah, who has only completed education up to Class 5, allegedly acquired a heavy-vehicle driving license using a counterfeit Class 10 certificate. Under licensing regulations, a transport vehicle operator must have completed at least Class 8.
Transport authorities are also scrutinizing potential violations by the bus owner regarding modifications made to convert the bus into a sleeper coach. Although the bus operated between Telangana and Karnataka through Andhra Pradesh, it was registered in Daman and Diu in 2018 and re-registered in Odisha this year.
Point of View
It is vital to acknowledge the complexity of this tragic incident. While the intoxication of the biker is a critical factor, we must also consider the broader implications for road safety and regulatory compliance among transport operators. The loss of life in such circumstances underscores the need for stringent enforcement of safety measures to prevent future tragedies.
NationPress
26/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the bus fire tragedy in Andhra Pradesh?
The bus fire tragedy was attributed to a motorcycle accident caused by a drunk rider, which led to the bus colliding with the motorcycle and subsequently igniting a massive fire.
How many people died in the bus fire?
Nineteen passengers, including two children, tragically lost their lives in the bus fire incident.
Was the bus driver intoxicated?
No, the bus driver was tested and found to be sober at the time of the incident.
What actions are being taken against the involved parties?
The bus driver and the owner of the transport company have been charged with causing death due to negligent behavior, while the deceased biker is facing a case of negligence and drunk driving.
What safety regulations are being reviewed following this incident?
Authorities are investigating potential violations related to the bus operator's licensing and the modifications made to the bus structure.
