Bus fire kills 12 after collision near Chinnatekuru in Andhra Pradesh

At least 12 people were killed and several others injured early Friday when a private Volvo sleeper bus bound for Hyderabad caught fire after colliding with a motorcycle on a highway near Chinnatekuru village in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, officials said. The bus, operated by Kaveri Travels, was travelling from Bengaluru to Hyderabad when the accident occurred between about 3:00 and 3:10 a.m., Kurnool district authorities said.

District Collector A. Siri said 41 people were on board the bus at the time of the crash. Local police and rescue teams reached the scene after the vehicle was quickly engulfed in flames. Officials said the motorcycle struck the bus, became lodged underneath it and its fuel cap was left open, producing a leak and friction that likely ignited the fire. The blaze spread rapidly and the bus was completely gutted.

Kurnool Range Deputy Inspector General Koya Praveen told officials that 12 deaths have been confirmed so far, including the motorcycle rider, and that the toll could rise as authorities account for all passengers. Of the 41 on board, 21 have been traced, the collector said. Several survivors managed to escape through an emergency exit or by...