A tragic incident unfolded when a coach caught fire, claiming the lives of at least 25 passengers in southern India. The horrifying blaze erupted after a motorcycle collided with the luxury bus, trapping numerous travelers inside. The vehicle was speeding on a motorway near the Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh state when the catastrophe occurred.
Some passengers managed to break windows and escape the fire with minor injuries, while others were not as fortunate and perished in the flames before help could arrive, as stated by senior police officer Vikrant Patil. The bus, en route from Hyderabad to Bengaluru, was struck from behind by a motorbike, causing the motorcycle to get stuck and dragged alongside the coach.
Sparks from the motorcycle scraping against the road ignited the coach’s fuel tank, leading to a rapid engulfment in flames, according to the police. Despite the driver’s efforts to extinguish the fire, it quickly escalated, leaving many passengers, who were asleep during the collision, in a tragic situation. Sadly, 25 individuals, including the motorcyclist, lost their lives, while 15 survivors were hospitalized. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his condolences to the families affected by the incident.
This unfortunate event follows another tragedy in Uganda, where 63 people died in a collision involving two buses on a motorway. The buses, traveling in opposite directions, collided while attempting to overtake vehicles, resulting in a massive pile-up on the highway. Both buses were carrying passengers, and additional vehicles were involved in subsequent crashes while trying to navigate the chaotic scene. Rescue teams found numerous injured individuals at the site, with distressing images depicting the aftermath of the devastating accident.