At least 12 people were killed after a Bengaluru-bound bus met with an accident and caught fire early on Friday morning. Around 20 passengers jumped out of the windows to escape the blaze.
The bus was on its way to Bengaluru from Hyderabad. At around 3:30 am, when the bus reached near Kurnool on National Highway 44 (NH-44), it met with an accident with a two-wheeler. The two-wheeler got stuck under the belly of the bus, causing a spark, the police suspect, NDTV reported.
What we know so far?
The bus had around 40 passengers onboard. Of these, 20 people were able to escape as they jumped out of the windows.
A passenger who was travelling in the bus that caught fire, told ANI, "Last night, we boarded the bus at Kukatpally to travel to Bengaluru. I was seated behind the driver’s seat. After a long journey, between 2.30 and 3.30 am, I noticed a fire on the window side and immediately alerted the driver. The bus was stopped right away. Meanwhile, we tried to break the windows to escape. Around 20 people managed to get out of the bus, but the others were unable to escape..."
Another passenger on the bus, identified as Shiva, told Telugu channel NTV that almost all passengers were asleep when the incident happened. “The bus hit a bike and dragged it along for some time. The fuel tank of the two-wheeler exploded at that moment. Most of us learned about the incident only after the fire broke out. The emergency windows weren’t working, but some of us managed to break the windows and jump out,” he said, adding that there were children inside the bus.
While authorities have yet to confirm the toll and other details, eyewitness accounts appearing in local media reports suggest that the fuel tank of the two-wheeler burst, triggering the blaze.
The injured were taken to a nearby hospital while authorities are trying to identify the bodies.
PM Modi announces ex-gratia
PM Modi expressed grief and said, “Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.”
President Droupadi Murmu also condoled the deaths and stated, "The loss of lives in a tragic bus fire accident in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, is deeply unfortunate. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the speedy recovery of those injured."
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