Kurnool Bus Tragedy: 19 Dead as Fire Exposes Safety Lapses in Private Transport
On October 24, tragedy struck near Kurnool when a private sleeper bus caught fire after colliding with a motorcycle lying on the national highway. The impact ignited the fuel tank, engulfing the bus in flames within minutes. Nineteen passengers were killed and several others injured, many trapped inside as the vehicle’s emergency exits reportedly failed to function. Police investigations revealed that the motorcycle’s rider, allegedly intoxicated, had fallen on the road moments before the crash. The incident has raised serious concerns over the negligence of private bus operators, who often bypass basic safety norms despite repeated warnings. Survivors and families of victims have accused the operator of poor maintenance and lack of fire-safety equipment. Authorities have launched an inquiry into the company’s operations, promising stricter enforcement of passenger transport regulations to prevent such disasters in the future.
