Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh — New details have emerged regarding the horrific bus fire on National Highway 44 (NH-44) near Kurnool town, which claimed 19 lives early Friday morning. Police investigations indicate that the disaster was triggered not by a moving motorcycle but by a bike lying on the road following an accident, officials said.

Kurnool District Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil stated that the two-wheeler involved was ridden by 20-year-old Panchala Shiva Shankar and his friend Erriswamy, residents of Lakshmipuram village. At around 2:24 AM, the duo stopped at a petrol pump on their way to Tuggali to refuel their Pulsar bike with ₹300 worth of petrol.

“Shortly after resuming their journey, Shiva Shankar lost control of the bike, which skidded and collided with a road divider. He died instantly, while Erriswamy escaped with minor injuries,” Patil said. The survivor reportedly attempted to move Shiva Shankar’s body and drag the bike to the roadside. At that moment, a Bengaluru-bound Vemuri Kaveri Travels bus struck the fallen bike, dragging it several meters and igniting a massive fire under the vehicle.

Erriswamy fled the scene in panic. Police tracked the movement of the bike using CCTV footage from the petrol station and mobile phone data. He was arrested on Saturday, questioned, and key evidence was gathered. Ulavakonda police station registered a case, confirming that the two-wheeler accident was the root cause of the tragedy.

Investigators revealed that Shiva Shankar had consumed alcohol prior to the accident, as evident from his behavior at the petrol pump. Forensic experts also noted that the blaze may have intensified due to the presence of 234 brand-new Realme smartphones stored in the bus’s luggage compartment. These devices, worth ₹46 lakh, likely caught fire, with lithium-ion batteries exploding under intense heat. The bus’s electric AC system batteries reportedly also burst, compounding the inferno.

Andhra Pradesh Fire Services Director General P. Venkataramana explained that the bus’s aluminum flooring melted completely, exposing bone fragments and ash. He added that spilled petrol from the motorbike, trapped under the bus, likely ignited due to frictional sparks or heat from the crash. The use of lightweight aluminum in the bus construction, while improving speed, made it highly susceptible to fire.

DNA Tests Underway

AP forensic lab director G. Palaraju, leading a special team, stated that most of the bodies recovered were charred beyond recognition. DNA samples have been collected from victims’ relatives to facilitate identification, with reports expected in two to three days before formal handover to families.

Transport Authorities Launch Safety Drive

In response to the tragedy, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana transport authorities have initiated a special inspection drive targeting private buses. In Andhra Pradesh alone, 289 cases were registered for violations, 18 buses seized, and fines totaling ₹7.08 lakh imposed. Eluru district reported the highest number of violations (55 cases), followed by Konaseema (27), Chittoor (22), Kurnool (12), East Godavari (17), Visakhapatnam (7), and Nandyal (4).

In Telangana, buses entering Hyderabad were checked, generating 54 Vehicle Check Reports. One bus was seized in Medchal-Malkajgiri district for multiple violations, including lack of a fire extinguisher, non-payment of tax, and carrying merchandise goods.

Authorities emphasize that enforcement will continue, highlighting the critical need for strict adherence to safety regulations to prevent similar disasters in the future.