A bus that was travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru caught fire near Chinnatekur village on the outskirts of Kurnool, killing 19 passengers, including two children, and injuring 27 others.
The blaze began when a motorcycle, left on the road after a crash, slipped under the bus’s rear. Fuel leaking from the bike and friction on the bus’s underside ignited a massive fire that spread across the vehicle.
Investigators say the motorcycle was involved in a collision early that morning. Two locals, Shiva Shankar and his pillion‑rider Erriswamy, were refuelling a Pulsar bike at a petrol pump around 2:24 a.m. CCTV footage shows Shankar was drunk when the bike lost control and struck a road divider. Shankar died instantly; Erriswamy escaped with only minor injuries. After the crash, Erriswamy fled the scene and later went to his village, Tuggali.
Police statement: Kurnool district superintendent Vikrant Patil reported that the bus had not seen the motorcycle because of the darkness. The bus driver testified that the bike had been lying on the road and that the bus drove over it, dragging it a short distance before the fire erupted.
Erriswamy’s account matched the driver’s description, confirming that the bus hit the motorcycle. The driver is now in custody on charges of negligent driving that led to the tragedy. Police are also probing whether the bus was traveling at an excessive speed before the accident.
The incident has shocked the region, highlighting the dangers of night traffic and the importance of road safety. Justice for the 19 victims and a thorough investigation into the bus driver’s conduct remain priority for authorities.
Source: ianslive
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