Andhra bus fire accident: Both bike-borne persons were drunk, say police

A devastating bus fire early on October 24 near Chinna Tekuru village in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, claimed the lives of 19 passengers when a Bengaluru-bound sleeper bus collided with a motorcycle. Police confirmed that one of the two motorcycle riders, Siva Shankar, died at the scene, and forensic tests confirmed that both riders were under the influence of alcohol.

The bus, carrying 44 passengers, ran over a motorcycle that had already skidded on wet roads. The vehicle was dragged underneath the bus, igniting its fuel tank and causing the blaze to intensify with the explosion of the bus’s two 12 KV batteries.

"We just received the forensic confirmation that the two bike-borne persons, Siva Shankar and Erri Swamy, were drunk," said Kurnool Range DIG Koya Praveen.

Police said the duo had started their journey from Lakshmipuram village around 2 a.m. to drop Swamy at Tuggali village. They reportedly stopped at an HP petrol bunk en route, where CCTV footage showed Shankar riding recklessly. Shortly after resuming, the motorcycle skidded, causing Shankar to fall and hit a divider.

Swamy pulled Shankar off the road, realizing he had died. As he tried to move the bike aside, the bus ran over it, sparking the massive fire. Swamy reportedly fled to his native village and was later questioned by authorities.

Bus driver Miriyala Lakshmaiah (42) said visibility was poor due to heavy rainfall. He applied brakes and tried to reverse, but the fire erupted. He escaped and alerted co-driver Siva Narayana, who broke windows and the emergency door, helping several passengers escape.

DIG Praveen noted that the explosion of the two 12 KV batteries was the main cause of the inferno. DNA profiling of all 19 victims has been completed, and their bodies were handed over to families. The tragedy underscores the dangers of poor road conditions, reckless driving, and the need for strict adherence to traffic safety rules.