• Source:JND
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Kurnool Bus Fire: Hours after a Bengaluru-bound private sleeper bus met with a fatal accident and burst into flames near the Chinna Tekur village in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool on Friday, resulting in the death of at least 20 people, survivors have recalled the horrowing details of the incident.

Passengers, who managed to evade the tragic end, have described the disturbing details of the catastrophic accident. Talking to the news agency ANI, a survivor said that he was sitting behind the driver's seat and alerted the driver as soon as he noticed the fire near the window seat around 2:30-2:40 am on Friday.

He further added that only 20 people managed to dodge the fatal consequences after the bus caught fire.

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The passenger, who had boarded the bus from Kukatpally, said, "Last night, we boarded the bus at Kukatpally to travel to Bengaluru. I was seated behind the driver’s seat. After a long journey, between 2:30 and 3:30 a.m., I noticed a fire on the window side and immediately alerted the driver. The bus was stopped right away. Meanwhile, we tried to break the windows to escape. Around 20 people managed to get out of the bus, but the others were unable to escape..."

Another passenger, recounting the traumatic scene, revealed that he saved his life by breaking the window as the main door was locked. The passenger said that when he woke up after the bus had stopped, he found flames around him.

The passenger told ANI, "..Around 2.30-2.40 am, the bus stopped and I woke up and I saw that the bus caught fire...Everyone in the bus was sleeping. We woke everyone...We broke the emergency window as the main door was locked...We jumped out of the window...Many people jumped out of the bus by breaking the windows..."

PM Announces EX-Gratia

Expressing sorrow over the catastrophic accident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the deceased's next of kin and Rs 50,000 for injured individuals.

"I am shocked to learn about the devastating bus fire accident near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district. My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of those who have lost their loved ones. Government authorities will extend all possible support to the injured and affected families," CM N Chandrababu Naidu posted on X.

What Happened In Volvo Bus On NH-44

A Volvo sleeper bus en route to Bengaluru from Hyderabad caught fire midway after colliding with a bike early on Friday, around 2:30-3:30 am. The catastrophic accident took place near Kurnool on National Highway 44 (NH-44).

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It was reported that 41 passengers were onboard when the accident happened. 21 people have been rescued. As per ANI, 20 people were killed in the fire. The bodies of only 12 have been identified so far. 

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