Hyderabad: In a significant development following the devastating bus fire on National Highway 44 (NH-44) near Kurnool town, Andhra Pradesh, which resulted in 19 fatalities, police investigations have unveiled crucial new information. Contrary to initial reports, the bus did not hit a moving motorcycle. Instead, it ran over a bike that was already on the highway after a previous road accident, authorities have confirmed.
Kurnool Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil stated that the incident involved Panchala Shiva Shankar (20) and his friend Erriswamy, both from Lakshmipuram village. They were traveling towards Tuggali shortly after midnight. Around 2:24 AM, after refueling their Pulsar bike, Shiva Shankar reportedly lost control of the vehicle on NH-44, causing it to skid and collide with the road divider. The impact was fatal for Shiva Shankar, who died at the scene.
Erriswamy, who sustained minor injuries, attempted to move his friend’s body and the damaged bike to the side of the road. It was at this critical moment that a high-speed Bengaluru-bound bus, operated by Vemuri Kaveri Travels, struck the fallen motorcycle, dragging it for several meters and igniting a massive fire underneath the vehicle.
A terrified Erriswamy fled the scene and returned to his village. However, through CCTV footage tracking the motorcycle’s movements before the incident and by analyzing his mobile phone data, the police successfully tracked and arrested him on Saturday. His questioning provided key evidence that helped piece together the sequence of events.
The Ulavakonda police station has registered a case, and ongoing investigations, including forensic analysis, have confirmed that the initial bike accident was the primary cause of the tragedy.
Further police interrogations and forensic studies have brought startling facts to light. CCTV footage from the petrol station verified the presence of both Shiva Shankar and Erriswamy, with the SP noting that Shiva Shankar appeared to be under the influence of alcohol based on his behavior.
Forensic experts investigating the bus fire suspect that the blaze may have intensified due to the explosion of 234 brand-new smartphones, valued at ₹46 lakh, being transported in the bus’s luggage compartment. These Realme phones, shipped from Hyderabad to a Flipkart warehouse in Bengaluru, could have caught fire and exploded, exacerbating the blaze, according to P Venkataramana, Director General of Andhra Pradesh Fire Services.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing multiple popping sounds during the fire, suggesting that the lithium-ion batteries of the mobile phones, as well as the electric batteries of the bus’s AC system, might have ruptured due to the intense heat. The DG also noted that the bus’s aluminum flooring melted, and the spilled petrol from the motorbike likely ignited from friction sparks or the crash’s heat. He pointed out that the use of lightweight aluminum in bus construction, while increasing speed, makes vehicles more susceptible to fire disasters.
DNA Testing for Victim Identification
G Palaraju, director of the AP forensic lab and head of the special forensic team, stated that the recovered bodies were so severely charred that most remains were unidentifiable ash. DNA samples from relatives are being collected for matching purposes, with reports expected within two to three days to facilitate the handover of the deceased to their families.
Special Drive to Check Bus Safety
In response to the tragic accident, transport authorities in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have launched a special drive to inspect private travel operators for safety and operational violations. In Andhra Pradesh, 289 cases were registered against private buses, leading to the seizure of 18 buses and the imposition of ₹7.08 lakh in fines. Telangana authorities also conducted checks, seizing a bus for multiple rule violations, including the absence of a fire extinguisher and carrying merchandise.