Volvo Bus Fire Near Kurnool Kills 19–20

A private Volvo bus operated by Kaveri Travels caught fire after colliding with a motorcycle near Chinnatekur on NH-44 outside Kurnool at about 3:30 a.m.; the bike became lodged under the bus and reportedly caused a fuel leak that ignited the blaze. At least 19–20 people, including the motorcyclist, were killed and many others injured; officials say the bus was carrying about 41–43 passengers and have so far traced roughly 21 survivors, some with severe burns, while several bodies were badly charred or not yet recovered. Survivors and police said many passengers were asleep, the driver’s attempts to douse the flames failed, and jammed doors forced some passengers to break windows or use the emergency exit to escape. Authorities recovered bodies and launched an investigation into the causes and possible safety lapses, and state leaders ordered relief and a formal inquiry. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia payments of Rs 2 lakh for each deceased family and Rs 50,000 for the injured. The crash is the second deadly long-distance bus fire in India in recent weeks, following a similar blaze in Rajasthan.