New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed profound grief over the devastating bus fire accident in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district, which has claimed at least 20 lives and left several others severely injured.
In a compassionate gesture, the Prime Minister announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the tragedy. Additionally, ₹50,000 has been sanctioned for each of the injured to assist with medical treatment and recovery.
The announcement came hours after reports confirmed that a private sleeper bus traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru caught fire near Chinna Tekur village, leaving the vehicle completely gutted. Most of the passengers were asleep when the incident occurred, leading to heavy casualties.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) shared the official message on X (formerly Twitter), quoting Modi’s heartfelt condolences and prayers for the victims and their families.
“Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” read the PMO’s post.
Rescue and firefighting operations were swiftly initiated after the incident, and officials confirmed that several passengers managed to escape with burn injuries. The state government has launched a detailed investigation into the cause of the fire, with preliminary reports suggesting that the blaze may have started after the bus collided with a motorcycle before bursting into flames.
Local authorities, including Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, have assured that all necessary medical assistance and support for affected families will be provided without delay. Naidu described the tragedy as “heart-wrenching” and directed senior officials to ensure the best possible care for the injured.
Meanwhile, condolences have poured in from across the political spectrum, with leaders urging for stricter safety checks on long-distance private buses.
