Kurnool Tragedy: Luxury Bus Inferno Claims 19 Lives — Lithium Battery Cargo Blamed for Rapid Fire Spread

Kurnool (Andhra Pradesh): A devastating accident near Chinnadegur village in Kurnool district has shocked the nation after a private luxury bus caught fire, claiming at least 19 lives in the early hours of the morning.

The ill-fated bus, travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru, collided with a two-wheeler on the highway. Preliminary investigations revealed that the motorcyclist was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident. The impact caused the motorcycle to get trapped beneath the bus, sparking a fire that rapidly engulfed the vehicle. Over 40 passengers, including two drivers, were reportedly onboard.

Forensic experts have confirmed that the intense heat and rapid spread of the blaze were primarily caused by parcels of electronic goods stored in the luggage compartment. Investigations by police and forensic teams revealed that the cargo area contained a consignment of 234 Realme smartphones, collectively valued at around ₹46 lakh.

The shipment, belonging to Hyderabad-based businessman Manganath, was en route to an e-commerce distribution centre operated by Flipkart, from where it was to be delivered to customers. Officials further disclosed that many private bus operators routinely transport such hazardous goods at discounted rates, ignoring safety norms and endangering passenger lives.

The collision, combined with gasoline leakage and rising temperature, created a highly volatile environment. The heat reached the cargo bay, triggering a chain of explosions as the lithium-ion batteries inside the smartphones began to detonate.

Andhra Pradesh Fire Service Director General P. Venkitaraman stated,

“The series of explosions from smartphone batteries was the primary cause of the fire. The bus’s air-conditioning system, which contained large electric batteries, also overheated and exploded, accelerating the spread of the flames.”

Eyewitnesses reported hearing multiple explosions from the cargo section as the fire intensified. The heat was so extreme that aluminium panels under the bus melted, trapping passengers inside. Despite desperate attempts, many were unable to break open the windows or doors and perished in the inferno.

Forensic experts confirmed that the improper storage of electronic goods containing lithium-ion batteries in the cargo area was the key factor behind the scale and speed of the tragedy.

According to police sources, one of the drivers, who had stepped out to assess the situation after the collision, panicked upon seeing the fire spread rapidly and failed to assist the passengers trapped inside.

This heartbreaking incident underscores the urgent need for stricter safety regulations governing the transport of goods containing lithium-ion batteries in public passenger vehicles. The Kurnool tragedy serves as a grim reminder of how negligence and regulatory lapses can turn routine journeys into national tragedies.