A horrific bus accident on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru route claimed 12 lives when a Volvo bus caught fire near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh during the early hours of Friday. The Kaveri Travels bus, carrying around 40 passengers, began its journey from Hyderabad at midnight. Around 3:30 am, it collided with a two-wheeler near Ullindakonda on NH-44, leading to a spark that quickly engulfed the vehicle in flames. Within minutes, the fire spread throughout the AC bus, leaving passengers trapped as many were asleep at the time of the accident.

According to police reports, the driver fled the scene immediately after the collision. Around 20 passengers managed to escape by breaking the windows, while others were unable to get out in time due to the intensity of the fire. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as the bus turned into ashes in just a few minutes. Forensic teams have begun investigations to determine the precise cause of the fire, while authorities continue rescue and identification operations. Several injured passengers have been shifted to local hospitals for treatment.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Droupadi Murmu, and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow over the incident, extending condolences to the victims’ families. The Prime Minister announced ex-gratia relief of ₹2 lakh to the families of those who died and ₹50,000 for the injured. This tragic event comes just days after a similar bus fire in Rajasthan, raising urgent questions about vehicle safety and emergency preparedness on India’s highways.