A devastating bus fire near Kurnool has resulted in the deaths of 20 individuals, including 19 passengers and a motorcyclist. The incident occurred around 3 a.m. on Friday when a Bengaluru-bound sleeper bus collided with a motorcycle that had skidded on the highway. Investigators have revealed that the motorcyclist, identified as Shivashankar, was reportedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the accident.

The sequence of events leading to the tragedy began shortly after Shivashankar and his pillion rider, Erri Swamy, refueled their bike at a petrol station. CCTV footage shows them leaving the station at approximately 2:26 a.m. Shortly after, Shivashankar lost control of the motorcycle and crashed into a road divider, resulting in his death on the spot. Swamy, who suffered minor injuries, attempted to move the fallen bike but found it too heavy.

As the Kaveri Travels bus approached, it struck the motorcycle, dragging it for nearly 200 meters. The friction from the collision caused the bike's fuel tank to explode, igniting a fire that quickly engulfed the bus. Eyewitness accounts indicate that the bus driver, Miryala Lakshmaiah, was driving at a speed of 80 to 90 km/h and did not see the motorcycle in time due to poor visibility and the bike's dark color.

Lakshmaiah reported that he tried to open the bus doors to help passengers escape but found them jammed. In a desperate attempt, he broke the windows with a rod, allowing some passengers to jump out. However, the fire spread rapidly, trapping many inside. Local residents and police rushed to the scene, but rescue efforts were hindered by the intensity of the flames.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, Kurnool police have filed an FIR against both the bus driver and the owner, Vemuri Vinod Kumar, for negligence and rash driving. The investigation continues as authorities await the post-mortem report to confirm the motorcyclist's blood alcohol level. This incident marks one of the worst road tragedies in Andhra Pradesh in recent years, highlighting the dangers of reckless driving and the consequences of alcohol consumption while operating a vehicle.