Deadly Andhra Bus Fire Intensified by 234 Exploding Smartphones: Investigation Reveals New Details

A devastating fire that engulfed a bus in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh early Friday claimed the lives of 19 passengers, with investigators now revealing a critical factor that intensified the blaze.

Forensic experts have discovered that a shipment of 234 smartphones was aboard the ill-fated vehicle when the accident occurred. As the fire spread, these devices' batteries exploded, significantly contributing to the intensity and rapid spread of the flames.

The smartphone consignment, valued at approximately Rs 46 lakh, belonged to a Hyderabad-based businessman named Manganath. These devices were being transported to an e-commerce company in Bengaluru for further distribution to customers.

Several eyewitnesses reported hearing multiple explosions as the smartphone batteries ignited during the incident, creating a cascading effect that accelerated the fire's spread throughout the vehicle.

P Venkataraman, director-general of the Andhra Pradesh Fire Services Department, explained that beyond the smartphone batteries, the bus's air conditioning electrical batteries also detonated during the fire. The resulting heat was so extreme that it melted through the aluminum sheets comprising the bus floor.

According to Venkataraman, the initial fire likely originated in the front section of the bus due to fuel leakage. Investigators believe a motorcycle became lodged beneath the bus, causing petrol to splatter. This fuel, when exposed to either heat or a spark, ignited and rapidly engulfed the entire vehicle.

The fire's severity was evidenced by Venkataraman's grim observation at the accident scene: "We saw bones and ash dropping through the melted sheets," highlighting the catastrophic nature of the incident.

The director-general also identified a structural vulnerability in the bus design that potentially exacerbated the disaster. The vehicle utilized lightweight aluminum instead of more robust iron components—a common manufacturing practice intended to reduce weight and improve speed efficiency. Unfortunately, this design choice proved critically detrimental during the fire emergency, contributing to the incident's devastating outcome.

In related reports, authorities have indicated that the bus driver allegedly fled the scene without assisting passengers when the fire erupted. Meanwhile, numerous families across the region are grappling with profound grief as they come to terms with the sudden loss of their loved ones in this tragic accident.