Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], October 24 (HBTV): Following the Kurnool bus fire accident that claimed at least 20 lives, Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar Goud on Friday issued a stern warning, stating that ‘unfit buses’ violating government safety norms would be seized, stressing that there would be ‘no playing with the lives of citizens’.
‘We have directed the transport authorities to seize any unfit buses to eliminate potential threats to life. We direct the transport people that buses will be seized if they don't comply with the rules. There is no playing with the lives of citizens,’ Minister Goud said.
Offering condolences over the incident, he informed that all concerned government officials were at the scene. ‘It is a very unfortunate incident. The Telangana government offered condolences on the incident. The government has also directed a probe into the same. All the concerned officials from the transport department, along with the district collector, are at the spot. The transport departments of Andhra, Telangana, and Karnataka will form legislation to deter such incidents from happening in the future,’ he said.
Goud further mentioned that the Telangana government was providing minute-by-minute updates on the medical treatment of the injured. ‘The tragic incident has resulted in 20 deaths and injuries to many. The Andhra Pradesh Minister and local officials are in contact and ensuring strict measures,’ he added.
Andhra Pradesh Governor S Abdul Nazeer expressed deep anguish over the deaths, directing district authorities to ensure medical care for the injured.
The Bengaluru-bound bus from Hyderabad caught fire in Chinnatekur near Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh on National Highway 44 in the early hours of Friday.
A survivor, Jayant Kushwaha, narrated the horrific ordeal, saying he woke up to find himself trapped in flames. ‘Around 2:30–2:40 AM, the bus stopped, and I woke up and saw that the bus caught fire. I couldn't believe that it was fire. We yelled fire and woke everybody up. The doors were locked. We couldn't locate the drivers. We broke the emergency window as the main door was locked. Many people jumped out of the bus by breaking the windows,’ he said.
According to officials, a private bus carrying 41 passengers caught fire after colliding with a bike that got stuck underneath. Kurnool District Collector A Siri confirmed that 11 bodies have been identified, while nine others remain unidentified.
‘There are a total of 41 members in the bus, including two drivers. A bike got stuck under the bus. After the accident, petrol leaked from the bike and caught fire. Of the 41 members, we have traced 21 passengers; they are safe. Eleven bodies have been removed from the bus. Twenty-one members have minor injuries and are undergoing treatment. We have to confirm the remaining nine bodies,’ DC Siri said.
She further explained that the bus doors failed to open after the accident, though both drivers managed to escape. ‘The bus wires were cut after the accident, and the doors didn’t open. The passengers were sleeping. We’re investigating the matter. The two drivers escaped from the fire. We’ve set up a control room for assistance,’ she added.
A fire official noted that the bus lacked safety hammers to break glass after the collision. ‘The bus collided with a bike, dragged it and caused petrol to leak, which led to a fire. There were no safety hammers to break glass after the accident. The bus driver didn’t stop after the collision. The diesel tank didn’t catch fire, but the bus was totally damaged,’ the official said.
The injured have been shifted to Kurnool Government Hospital for treatment.
(ANI)