Kurnool Bus Fire Kills Over 40 Amid Overspeed Negligence Probe

A tragic bus fire near Kurnool on NH 44 resulted in the deaths of at least 19 people when a motorcycle collided with the bus, causing its fuel tank to ignite. The bus, traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru, had 44 passengers onboard and caught fire after the crash, with passengers trapped inside due to locked doors, forcing some to escape through emergency windows. Investigations revealed the bus had a history of 16 traffic violations in Telangana, including speeding and dangerous driving, raising serious safety concerns. Despite political attempts to blame the government and allegations about expired documents, official sources confirmed the bus had valid fitness, insurance, and pollution certificates. Authorities are conducting a detailed probe involving Telangana, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh officials to determine the exact cause, with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu promising strict action if negligence is found. Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar also pledged enhanced safety measures and coordination among states to prevent such tragedies in the future.