Kurnool Bus Horror: How Everything Went Wrong in Seconds
A Hyderabad–Bengaluru sleeper bus caught fire after a highway collision, killing 25 people in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district leading to public anger.
In the early hours of 24–25 October 2025, a private sleeper bus carrying around 44 passengers left Hyderabad for Bengaluru. The bus was travelling along National Highway 44 through Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district near Chinnatekuru village. Around 3:30 am, a motor-bike ridden by 21-year-old Shiva Shankar skidded off the road and hit a divider. His passenger survived. Moments later, the bus rammed or ran over the bike and dragged it for over 200 metres, causing sparks and spilling fuel.
The collision ruptured the bike’s fuel tank and started a fire. At the same time, the bus’s electrical and battery system exploded, and the lithium-ion batteries of a consignment of 234 smartphones in the luggage area also burst, making the fire worse. Most passengers were asleep as small blasts continued and the bus filled with smoke.
When people rushed to escape, they found the exit door jammed due to poor-quality parts. The fire spread quickly because the bus was built with cheaper fibre panels instead of fireproof material. Within 10–15 minutes, the bus was engulfed in flames. Windows were smashed and some passengers jumped, while others were trapped.
Local people, police and firefighters tried to help, but it was too late for many. The death toll later reached 25, including the biker. Investigations found illegal modifications, non-fire-retardant materials and negligence. The driver, Miriyala Lakshmaiah, was arrested with a fake licence. Social media users, opposition leaders and families called the tragedy preventable. The investigation continues.
