KURNOOL, ANDHRA PRADESH: At least 25 people lost their lives early Friday morning when a Kaveri Travels Volvo bus caught fire after colliding with a motorcycle on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru highway in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district.

The accident occurred around 3:30 am, and within minutes, flames engulfed the entire vehicle. Twelve passengers managed to escape, some with critical burn injuries, while several others were trapped inside the burning bus.

Rescue teams struggled for hours to control the blaze and recover the charred bodies from the wreckage. Authorities are working to identify the victims.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep sorrow, ordered immediate relief efforts, and directed officials to launch a formal inquiry into the cause of the tragedy.

The fatal accident comes just a week after a similar bus fire in Rajasthan claimed multiple lives, renewing public concern over road safety and fire preparedness in long-distance passenger buses across India.