A horrific bus fire in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district that killed 20 people may have been triggered by a biker riding recklessly, according to video footage reviewed by authorities.
The Bengaluru-bound private bus collided with a motorcycle in the early hours of Friday. Flames erupted when the motorcycle, with its fuel tank open, was dragged under the bus, igniting the vehicle and engulfing it rapidly. The blaze claimed the lives of 20 passengers, while others managed to escape.
Footage from a nearby petrol pump, recorded around 2:23 a.m., shows the biker stopping briefly before setting off unsteadily. Observers noted that the rider struggled to balance the two-wheeler, swerving dangerously as he rode away, suggesting he may have been under the influence of alcohol. The pillion rider dismounted at the pump, while the motorcyclist appeared disoriented before leaving the scene.
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Police officials indicated that the bus driver survived by jumping out through the passenger door but was unable to react in time to prevent the collision. The bus was carrying 44 passengers, and while several escaped, many were trapped in the inferno.
Investigators are examining the video as part of the ongoing probe into the crash. They are also reviewing the bus’s safety measures, including passenger capacity and emergency response protocols. Preliminary findings suggest that a combination of reckless driving, combustible materials on the bus, and possible overloading contributed to the severity of the incident.
Authorities have launched an inquiry into the accident, focusing on both the biker’s conduct and the bus operator’s compliance with safety regulations. Local officials have promised support for the families of the victims and a thorough investigation to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The Kurnool bus fire underscores ongoing concerns over road safety in India, where high accident rates and lapses in vehicle and traffic regulations continue to endanger lives.
