Inclusive growth key to Viksit Bharat, says President Droupadi Murmu
The development of the nation is possible only through the progress of every section of society, President Droupadi Murmu said on Tuesday while addressing a gathering in Rourkela.
Nineteen people were charred to death after a Bengaluru-bound private luxury bus from Hyderabad caught fire following a collision with a two-wheeler near Chinna Tekur village of Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh during the wee hours of Friday.
The victims were asleep at 3 am and could not escape the flames, which had engulfed the exit door.
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The two-wheeler rider also died at the spot. The bus belonging to Vemuri Kaveri Travels was registered in Odisha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs two lakh as ex-gratia for the next of kin of the deceased.
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Devastated to hear the tragic news of a fire in an AC bus in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, in which 20 people are feared dead.
My prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones.
A similar incident occurred in Rajasthan just days ago, the Government of India must look… pic.x.com/oEc1kmLyJG
— Dr. Shama Mohamed (@drshamamohd) October 24, 2025
Both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh have also announced Rs 5 lakhs each as ex gratia for the next of kin of the deceased, while the injured will receive Rs 2 lakh.
The AP government has ordered a high-level inquiry committee to investigate the accident. In the evening, the crane that was removing the charred bus toppled, with the driver receiving minor injuries.
According to the Kurnool superintendent of police, when the bus hit the two-wheeler, it remained stuck in the undercarriage and was dragged for 300 metres, which led to the fire. The bus was completely gutted in the fire.
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…
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 24, 2025
Local TDP MP Byreddy Shabari who reached the spot, said, “According to eyewitnesses who were coming from the opposite direction, the bus had collided with a bike, which had hit its fuel tank. Within minutes, it exploded and the bus caught fire immediately. People were sleeping. Those who realised what was happening could escape.”
Both drivers survived the tragedy and one of them has been taken into custody. Survivors complained that the drivers escaped at the time of the accident.
The TDP MP also said, “One person travelling with his family – a two-month-old infant and a five-year-old child. The father broke open the window, and because of him, many were rescued, because that was the only window that could be broken.”
While 19 people died, including two children, 27 passengers managed to climb out of the emergency window. Among the deceased, six were from Andhra Pradesh, six were from Telangana, two from Karnataka, two from Tamil Nadu and one each from Bihar and Odisha. One body is yet to be identified.
Andhra P home minister V Anitha said, “The bodies have been totally charred, making it impossible to identify and hence 16 forensic teams have been constituted to identify the deceased through DNA tests and collect evidence.”
I am shocked to learn about the devastating bus fire accident near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of those who have lost their loved ones. Government authorities will extend all possible support to the injured and…
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) October 24, 2025
Four police teams were working to piece together the sequence of events that led to the collision and fire.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, “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 the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000.”
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