Deadly Bus Fire in Andhra Pradesh Claims 19 Lives: Survivors Recount Harrowing Escape

Harika was asleep when the luxury bus she was travelling in caught fire early this morning. Awakened by the commotion, she discovered that flames had nearly consumed the vehicle. Fortunately, a broken door at the rear exit provided her escape route. Harika managed to jump out, sustaining injuries but surviving the deadly inferno that ultimately reduced the bus to ashes and claimed 19 lives.

According to Harika, who was among approximately 40 passengers travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru, the incident occurred around 3-3:30 am. The fire started after the bus collided with a two-wheeler on National Highway 44 near Ullindakonda in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district.

Most passengers were likely in deep sleep when the fire erupted, making escape difficult. By the time Harika woke up, the flames had already spread rapidly throughout the bus. "The back door was broken, so I jumped out from there. In the process of jumping, I got hurt," Harika explains.

The sleeper bus, typically used for long-distance travel, features curtains for privacy at each berth. This design made it challenging for fleeing passengers to determine if other seats were occupied. "Since it's a sleeper, we just get on and sleep. We don't know how many people are there or who is there due to the curtains," Harika notes.

Another survivor, Jayant Kushwaha, recounts that the main exit was locked, forcing passengers to break windows to escape. "We first tried to escape from the front, but the main exit was locked. Then we broke the emergency window on the rear side and jumped out. It was quite high, and some people fell unconscious due to the fall. Some people also broke the windows near the driver's seat and escaped."

A senior official informed NDTV that the main door likely became jammed when wires snapped during the fire.

Survivor Surya believes the fire began around 2:45 am. "A bike came, and something happened. We don't have clarity. The bike went under the bus, and sparks started coming, and then the fire started. Everyone saw it; those who had to get down got down."

The Kaveri Travels bus was carrying approximately 40 passengers plus the driver and a helper. About 20 people managed to escape by breaking windows and jumping out. Of the 20 missing, 19 deaths have been confirmed. Reports suggest the driver fled the scene.

TDP MP Byreddy Shabari mentioned that some bodies were burned beyond recognition. Andhra Pradesh transport authorities are now investigating the bus's mechanical condition.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.