A devastating bus fire in southern India, resulting in at least 20 fatalities, was significantly worsened by the hundreds of smartphones it was carrying, according to local reports citing forensics officials. The incident occurred early on Friday when the Bangalore-bound bus collided with a motorcycle, causing a fuel tank rupture and a subsequent explosion.
Eyewitnesses described a horrific scene where passengers, numbering around 40, struggled to escape the rapidly spreading flames, while local residents attempted to rescue survivors.
Forensic experts have now indicated that the bus was transporting a cargo of 234 mobile phones. They believe the lithium-ion batteries within these devices, upon rupturing, likely contributed to the intensity of the fire.
Kurnool Superintendent of Police, Vikrant Patel, stated that the bus’s batteries, flammable interior furnishings, and the smartphone cargo all aggravated the fire, leading to the tragic outcome. P Venkataraman, the director-general of the Andhra Pradesh Fire Services Department, added that exploding batteries from the bus’s air conditioning system also contributed to the worsening fire.
The smartphones, valued at approximately 4.6 million Indian rupees (about £39,361 or $52,377), were reportedly being transported from Hyderabad to an e-commerce company in Bengaluru.
Lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in smartphones, carry a fire risk, especially when damaged. They can undergo thermal runaway, a self-sustaining and difficult-to-control temperature increase that can easily spread to nearby batteries.
An investigation has been launched into potential negligent driving, with the bus driver reportedly fleeing the scene. The motorcyclist involved in the collision is among the deceased.
Buses are a primary mode of transport in India, but safety regulations are frequently overlooked, leading to overcrowded vehicles. The nation recorded the highest number of road accident fatalities globally last year.