Kurnool: Nearly 22 people have died in a bus fire accident near Chinnatekuru village in Kurnool district in AP at 3.30 am on Friday. The accident occurred after a two wheeler hit the bus and the bus turned into ashes. The two-wheeler got stuck under the belly of the bus, causing a spark.

The bus travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru had 40 people on board. The bus accident occurred near Ullindakonda in Kurnool district.

The bus started from Hyderabad around midnight, and when it reached near Kurnool on NH-44, at around 3:30 am, 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. According to the official sources the driver fled the scene. Initial reports suggest that the fire engulfed the bus within minutes. Kurnool District Collector Dr. A Siri, visited the fire accident spot and ascertain the situation. She said that the accident was occurred due to the two wheeler hit in a span of minutes the fire catched the entire bus from the front side. Some passengers were escaped by breaking emergency glass behind the bus, the others were not able to escape.

We found out eleven burnt bodies so far, the eleven injured were shifted to GGH, Kurnool and the remaining passengers are admitted in the private hospital. We are waiting for the full detail of the passengers list from the travels company and we will find the missing travellers. The rescue operation are under progress, she said.

Speaking to the media persons Kurnool SP Vikrant Patil said that at around 3 am, a volvo bus of Kaveri travels was going from Hyderabad to Bengaluru. It hit a two-wheeler, and it got stuck under the bus. That probably caused a spark and led to fire. The Forensic Science Laboratory team is here and ascertaining the exact cause of the fire. Since it was an AC bus, passengers had to break open the windows. Whoever could break open the glass are safe, he added.

According to the passenger list, there were 40 people on board along with a driver and bus staff. At the time of the accident several people were asleep and might have faced difficulty in exiting the fire. The FSL team is looking for anyone who might have been left behind. 15 people have been rescued and admitted to the hospital. The fire is under control, said SP.

Eleven passengers are receiving treatment at the Government hospital, while three others are being treated in private hospitals. The efforts are on to find missing passengers and identify victims.

AP CM N Chandrababu in his twitter x said that he extended condolences to the families of the victims and assured Government support.

YSRCP Chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in his twitter post said that he has expressed deep shock and grief over the tragic bus accident in which several passengers were burnt alive. In a statement, Reddy said the incident was extremely distressing and has deeply shaken him. He conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the accident.