At Least 20 Killed in Bus Fire After Crash in Southern India

At Least 20 Killed in Bus Fire After Crash in Southern India
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At least 20 people were killed in southern India after a bus caught fire following a collision with a motorcycle, police said Friday, as reported by DW. The incident occurred near Kurnool in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh. Police official Vikrant Patil said 11 victims have been identified while nine remain unidentified, noting that several bodies were badly burned.

According to investigators, the motorcycle crashed into the rear of the bus and became lodged under its fuel tank, triggering an explosion that engulfed the vehicle in flames.
The driver reportedly attempted to extinguish the fire, but the flames spread rapidly.

Eighteen passengers managed to escape, some by breaking windows, but many others were asleep at the time of the accident. Authorities suspect a jammed door contributed to the high death toll. The tragedy is the second fatal bus fire in India this month, following a similar incident in Rajasthan that killed 19 people.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the victims’ families and announced compensation of 200,000 rupees ($2,280) for the deceased and 50,000 rupees ($563) for the injured. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi called for greater accountability and stronger safety measures in India’s public transport system.