The news: A V Kaveri Travels sleeper bus caught fire while travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru, after a collision with a bike in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh on early Friday (24 October 25). At least 20 people lost their lives in the incident.
Source: Media, X.com
Analysis
Details of the incident
A Vemuri Kaveri Travels sleeper bus, travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru, collided with a motorcycle in Chinnatekur village in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, and caught fire.
The fire broke out due to the bike being caught at the bottom of the bus rupturing the fuel tank.
The bus had 41 people on board,, and there were two people on the bike. Approximately, 20 people, including the bike rider, died in the incident.
Allegedly the bike accident occurred earlier and the bus travelling at a very high speed rammed over the bike. The bus continued to ride for about 200m before the driver realised that there was a fire. The bus driver and the conductor escaped the incident.
There were 234 smartphones being transported in the bus, which exploded after catching fire.
The Response
The bus doors failed to open after the accident, but the two staff managed to escape.
People at the front could not escape and were caught in the fire.
People from the rear of the bus escaped by breaking a window.
People in other vehicles stopped and along with people nearby they informed the authorities, and helped in taking the injured to the hospital. They also helped people in the bus in escaping the fire.
By the time the firefighters extinguished the fire, the bus was reduced to ashes, only the metal body remained.
Police are trying to identify the victims and further investigate the incident.
Honorable Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF to the next of kin of each deceased, and Rs. 50,000 to the injured.
Revelations so far
The bus involved in the accident (Vehicle No. DD01N9490) had at least 16 traffic violation challans, including those for over speeding, and dangerous driving.
The Registration, Fitness, Tax, Insurance, PUCC, and Permit of the vehicle involved were all valid.
The driver of the bus fled after the accident. 30 years old Siva Narayana, the second driver of the VKaveri Travels bus, has been taken into custody by police. He was not behind the wheels when the accident took place. Lakshmaiah, who was driving the bus, had woken him up after the incident. He allegedly broke the window and helped several passengers escape.
The two people on the bike were drunk.
What were the mistakes which could have led to this accident and loss of 20 lives?
1. Over speeding at night by the driver despite poor visibility due to rain.
2. Ignoring the bike struck at the bottom of the bus by the driver.
3. Automatic doors which malfunctioned and did not open after the accident.
4. Non-availability of fire extinguisher and other fire fighting equipments in the bus.
5. Modifications in the bus compromising the opening of emergency doors.
6. Unauthorised transport of multiple smartphones in the luggage compartment of the bus.
7. The Hyderabad Bengaluru highway being only two lanes.
Social media response
Blame on private travel companies and demand for strict regulations and enforcement.
Blaming authorities for no action on these private buses, no safety audits, no criminalization.
Blaming the PMO for the ex-gratia amount of only Rs. 2 lakhs.
Call for punishment for the driver and bus owners.
Similar events in recent years
On 14 October 2025, a bus fire near Jaisalmer, caused by short-circuit in the AC system, claimed 26 lives.
On 15 May 2025, a private sleeper bus traveling from Bihar to Delhi caught fire on the Kisaan Path in Lucknow, resulting in five deaths.
On 1 July 2023, a bus caught fire after hitting a divider on Samruddhi Highway, killing 25 people.
In October 2022, a sleeper bus travelling from Yavatmal to Mumbai collided with a trailer, resulting in a fire that killed 12 passengers.
Critical questions
Will the bus drivers learn to be more vigilant and drive safely?
Will the government make any changes in regulation of these private buses (including materials, checks, licenses, etc.) and enforce them seriously (without taking bribes)?
Will the government or company take steps towards the education of drivers of buses on road safety?
Critic-lens 
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