At least 20 people were killed in a massive bus fire in southern India after the vehicle collided with a motorcycle and exploded. Officials say the blaze was intensified by hundreds of smartphones being transported on board.
The accident took place in the early hours of Friday in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district. The private bus, bound for Bengaluru from Hyderabad, was carrying about 40 passengers when it hit a motorcycle, rupturing the fuel tank and triggering an explosion. Within moments, flames engulfed the entire vehicle.
Eyewitnesses reported scenes of panic as passengers tried to break windows and escape. Locals rushed to the site to pull out survivors, but many were trapped inside as the fire spread rapidly.
Forensic teams later discovered that the bus was also carrying a shipment of 234 smartphones packed with lithium-ion batteries. Officials said these batteries likely ruptured in the explosion, causing the flames to grow more intense and uncontrollable.
ALSO READ: Gaza Forensic Teams Struggle to Investigate Returned Bodies Amid Torture Concerns
Preliminary findings suggest that flammable interior materials, the air-conditioning battery system, and the smartphones together fueled the fire. Investigators said the intensity of the blaze was so extreme that even the vehicle’s metal frame melted in several areas.
The smartphones, valued at around 4.6 million rupees, were being transported to Bengaluru for delivery. Officials added that the lithium batteries inside the devices experienced thermal runaway — a reaction that leads to continuous temperature rise and can cause explosions when exposed to heat or physical damage.
Firefighters battled the blaze for several hours before bringing it under control. Most of the victims were found near the rear section of the bus, where the heat was most concentrated. Some bodies were burned beyond recognition and will be identified through DNA testing.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash and are searching for the bus driver, who fled the scene. The motorcyclist involved in the collision is among those killed.
The Andhra Pradesh government has announced financial assistance for the families of the victims and ordered a detailed inquiry into the incident. Officials said new safety checks will be implemented to prevent buses from carrying combustible goods along with passengers.
India continues to report some of the world’s highest road accident fatalities, with thousands of lives lost each year due to poor vehicle maintenance, overloading, and inadequate enforcement of safety standards. Experts say the latest tragedy highlights the urgent need for stricter transport regulations and better fire safety measures on public buses.
