Tragic news from India where a bus fire, reportedly intensified by a large quantity of smartphones onboard, has led to the deaths of at least 20 people. The devastating incident occurred early on Friday when the bus, traveling towards Bangalore, collided with a motorcycle. The impact caused an explosion, rapidly engulfing the bus in flames.
Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes as approximately 40 passengers struggled to escape the inferno, with locals rushing to help pull survivors from the wreckage.
Following preliminary investigations, forensic experts have indicated that the bus was carrying 234 mobile phones. The lithium-ion batteries within these devices are believed to have ruptured, significantly worsening the fire.
“The bus batteries, presence of flammable furnishings in the bus and the cargo consisting of cell phones aggravated the fire leading to the tragic event,” stated Kurnool Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patel, as quoted by CNN News18.
Further adding to the severity, the director-general of the Andhra Pradesh Fire Services Department, P Venkataraman, mentioned that electrical batteries powering the bus’s air conditioning system also exploded, contributing to the blaze’s intensity.
The smartphones, valued at approximately 4.6 million Indian rupees (£39,361; $52,377), were reportedly being transported from Hyderabad to an e-commerce company in Bengaluru, according to NDTV.
Lithium-ion batteries, commonly found in smartphones, are known fire risks when damaged. They can experience ‘thermal runaway,’ a self-sustaining and hard-to-control heating process that can easily spread to nearby batteries.
An investigation is underway into potential negligent driving, as the bus driver reportedly fled the scene. The motorcyclist involved in the initial collision is among the deceased.
Road safety remains a critical concern in India, where buses are a primary mode of transport, yet safety regulations are frequently disregarded. Last year, India recorded the highest number of road accident fatalities globally.