HYDERABAD – At least 20 people were killed after a bus collision triggered a massive fire on the highway connecting Bengaluru and Hyderabad on Friday morning. The tragic accident occurred when a private bus collided with a motorcycle, causing a fuel leak that quickly ignited the vehicle.
According to Indian media reports, the fire spread rapidly, trapping several passengers inside the bus. Local authorities confirmed that out of 41 passengers onboard, 21 people were rescued, while the bodies of 11 victims have been identified so far. Rescue operations continued throughout the morning as officials worked to recover the remaining victims.
A Siri, a district revenue officer, told news agency ANI that immediate efforts were made to extinguish the flames and save as many passengers as possible. “Our teams reached the spot quickly, but the intensity of the fire made rescue operations extremely difficult,” the official said.
The bus collision took place on one of India’s busiest intercity routes, linking two major southern technology hubs. Preliminary investigations suggest that the motorcycle involved may have lost control before colliding with the bus, leading to the devastating fire.
This tragic bus collision once again highlights the alarming rate of road accidents in India. Despite being the world’s third-largest car market, the country continues to face major road safety challenges. According to government data released in January, around 180,000 people lost their lives in road accidents across India last year.
Just last month, another similar incident in Rajasthan claimed 19 lives when a private bus caught fire after a crash. Authorities say stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and improved vehicle safety standards are urgently needed to prevent such deadly accidents.
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Officials have launched an investigation into the latest bus collision, while the injured are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.
