Deadly Andhra Pradesh Bus Fire: 19 Lives Lost Due to Negligence and Safety Violations

The bus collided with the motorcycle, then dragged it for over 200 meters, creating sparks that triggered the fire.

Hyderabad:

The catastrophic bus fire near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh early Friday that claimed 19 lives has revealed a dangerous combination of human error, corporate negligence, and flagrant safety violations prevalent in the private interstate transportation sector.

A motorcyclist who was struck by the speeding bus also perished in the incident.

Telangana Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao has now placed responsibility directly on the bus driver and Kaveri Travels, promising severe punitive and deterrent measures.

'Fire Would Not Have Happened If...'Speaking with NDTV, Rao stated on Friday, "The initial cause of the fire was the driver's negligence. If he had stopped the bus after hitting the 2-wheeler, instead of attempting to escape, this major fire would not have occurred."

READ: "We Saw Her Off At Bus Stand": Andhra Bus Fire Leaves Families Devastated

The bus struck the bike, then dragged it for over 200 meters, generating sparks that ignited the flames.

In a critical failure, the driver stopped the vehicle, noticed the sparks and fire, woke the second driver, and attempted to extinguish the blaze with water.

Jupally Krishna Rao said, "When the fire became uncontrollable, Laxmaiah fled, abandoning the bus passengers. Raising an alarm and directing the passengers to safety could have saved lives."

The minister also indicated that neither Laxmaiah nor the second driver alerted passengers or assisted their evacuation.

He further criticized Kaveri Travels for failing to provide crisis training to drivers and staff on standard operating procedures (SOPs).

"Kaveri Travels must be held accountable," Rao told NDTV, emphasizing that a substantial penalty would serve as an important deterrent for other travel companies to prioritize safety over profit.

Meanwhile, Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar also cautioned that operators found negligent would face murder charges.

Bus Was Illegally Converted Into Sleeper: Reports

Reports suggest that the bus was illegally modified from a 42-seater into a sleeper, increasing capacity while reducing gangway space, obstructing exit routes, and failing to provide adequate emergency exits.

Additionally, there were no mini-hammers provided for breaking glass to escape during emergencies.

READ: First Registered In Diu, Then Odisha: All About Bus In Which 19 Burnt Alive

The quick spread of the fire was attributed to highly flammable materials used in the interior, such as L foam, seat cushions, and synthetic curtains, as well as cell phones and battery consignments stored in the luggage compartment.

The bus had a questionable registration history, initially registered in Daman and Diu, and subsequently re-registered in Odisha, a common strategy employed by operators to avoid local taxes and regulatory oversight.

Telangana, Andhra Announce Measures To Tighten Regulations

Following the tragedy, both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments have announced initiatives aimed at strengthening regulations and enforcement.

Immediate inspections of fitness, safety, and permits have been ordered for all private travel buses. Proposed measures include driver training on crisis management and emergency SOPs, confiscating unsuitable buses, imposing strict penalties for illegal vehicle modifications, and discouraging the use of flammable materials.

Transport Ministers from Telangana, AP, and Karnataka will convene to discuss road safety and develop legislation to prevent such incidents in the future.