When Bucchalu Shiva Shankar, a 22‑year‑old motorcyclist, was pulled under a private luxury bus on the early hours of 25 October 2025, the resulting bus fire ripped through the vehicle and left 20 dead.
The wreck occurred on National Highway 44 near Chinnatekur, Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh at roughly 02:45 IST. The bus, operated by V Kaveri Travels, was en route from Hyderabad to Bengaluru when it struck the motorbike and dragged it for nearly 300 metres.
Chronology of the disaster
According to CCTV footage, the motorcyclist arrived at a deserted petrol pump at 02:23 IST, removed his pillion rider, and then rode off with the fuel cap left open. Within minutes, the bike entered the bus’s lane. Miryala Lakshmaiah, the primary driver, failed to see the motorcycle in the rain‑slicked darkness, and the vehicle rammed into it. The impact forced the bike beneath the bus’s chassis, creating sparks that ignited the open fuel container.
While Siva Narayana, the co‑driver, was reportedly asleep, the bus continued to haul the burning bike along the highway. By the time the driver finally braked, flames had already engulfed the interior. Witnesses say the fire spread in under two minutes, sealing the windows and trapping passengers.
Investigation findings
The Kurnool bus fire accidentChinnatekur, Kurnool district prompted a forensic team from the Office of the Superintendent of Police to piece together a grim sequence:
- Open fuel cap on the motorcycle acted as a flash point.
- Electrical shorts from the bike’s dragging ignited the bus’s battery compartment.
- Flammable upholstery and a cargo of cell phones accelerated the blaze.
- Heavy rain reduced visibility, contributing to driver error.
Post‑mortem reports confirmed that 11 bodies were positively identified, while DNA matching is ongoing for the remaining victims. The police registered a case of negligence and overspeed driving against both drivers, citing “failure to communicate the collision” and “reckless operation under hazardous conditions.”
Official reactions
A Siri, the Kurnool District Collector, told ANI that 41 people, including the two drivers, were aboard. “We have reached out to the families of 18 deceased. Identification is proceeding through DNA verification,” she said.
Telangana’s transport minister Jupally Krishna Rao publicly blamed the bus driver and the travel agency, urging stricter oversight of private interstate operators. Meanwhile, the Ulindakonda Police Station confirmed that the case file lists both Miryala Lakshmaiah and Siva Narayana as primary suspects for “negligent and overspeed driving.”
Safety concerns and broader implications
The tragedy has reignited the debate over safety standards for private luxury coaches that ply the high‑speed corridors linking major cities. Experts argue that the combination of overloaded passenger cabins, unregulated cargo (like bulk cell phones), and aging battery systems creates a tinderbox waiting for a spark.
Dr. Ananya Reddy, a transport safety analyst at the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, noted, “This incident underscores how a single oversight—an open fuel cap on a two‑wheeler—can cascade into a catastrophic event when vehicle design and operating practices are lax.” She added that mandatory fire‑retardant upholstery and stricter cargo declarations could mitigate similar risks.
Legal proceedings and next steps
Legal counsel for the victims’ families is preparing a class‑action suit against V Kaveri Travels, alleging failure to enforce safety protocols and inadequate driver training. The police have also opened an inquiry into whether the motorcyclist was under the influence of alcohol, as preliminary reports suggest an open fuel cap and reckless riding.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities plan to audit all inter‑state private bus operators within a 200‑kilometre radius of the crash site. The Kurnool Superintendent of Police vowed “no stone will be left unturned” in determining accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this accident affect passengers traveling between Hyderabad and Bengaluru?
The crash highlights gaps in safety oversight for private coaches on the Hyderabad‑Bengaluru corridor. Travelers may face stricter ticket inspections, mandatory fire‑safety briefings, and possible route diversions while regulators audit operators.
What caused the fire to spread so quickly inside the bus?
Investigators say the spark from the dragged motorcycle ignited an open fuel cap, which then set off the bus’s battery and highly flammable upholstery. A cargo load of dozens of cell phones, each containing lithium‑ion batteries, further accelerated the blaze.
Who is being held legally responsible for the tragedy?
Both drivers, Miryala Lakshmaiah and Siva Narayana, have been charged with negligence and overspeed driving. The travel agency, V Kaveri Travels, faces a potential civil lawsuit for inadequate safety measures.
What steps are authorities taking to prevent similar incidents?
The Kurnool police have ordered a comprehensive safety audit of all private interstate buses, emphasizing fire‑retardant interiors, proper cargo declaration, and driver fatigue monitoring. New guidelines may also mandate fire extinguishers on every coach.
Is there any indication that the motorcyclist’s behavior contributed to the accident?
Preliminary police statements suggest the rider had an open fuel cap and may have been under the influence of alcohol, which could have made the bike harder to control. However, investigators stress that driver negligence remains the primary factor.