A tragic bus accident involving Kaveri Travels occurred near Kurnool on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru highway in Andhra Pradesh in the early hours of Friday, October 24, 2025, resulting in the death of at least 19-20 passengers and injuring several others.
Accident Details
The bus, operated by Vemuri Kaveri Travels, was traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru with over 40 passengers and two drivers. At about 3 am, the bus collided with a two-wheeler, killing the biker instantly. The impact trapped the bike beneath the bus, creating friction and triggering a fuel system fire that quickly engulfed the vehicle. Most victims were tech professionals and families returning from Diwali celebrations, several of whom died in their sleep as the flames spread rapidly.
Cause and Sequence
Investigations revealed that after the collision, the driver failed to stop and dragged the motorcycle along National Highway 44 for about 300 feet, intensifying the fire hazard. Survivors reported that the main bus door jammed, forcing passengers to break windows for escape. 27 passengers managed to flee, nine of whom were injured, while others were trapped inside.
Regulatory and Safety Violations
Reports show the bus had been illegally converted from a 42-seater to a sleeper coach, restricting gangway space and blocking emergency exits. The bus lacked essential safety equipment like glass-breaking hammers and clearly marked exits. It had also accumulated multiple safety and traffic violations over the past two years, including unpaid fines for dangerous driving and entering no-entry zones. The bus continued to operate with Diu Daman plates despite being transferred and reregistered in Odisha and holding a valid All India Tourist Permit.
Accountability and Official Response
Government officials expressed deep shock and announced compensation of ₹5 lakhs for the families of deceased victims and ₹2 lakhs for the injured. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh ministers blamed both the driver and Kaveri Travels for safety lapses, promising punitive action. They criticized the lack of crisis training, negligence in SOPs, and the illegal conversion of the bus, warning that repeat offenders would be held criminally liable. The owner of Kaveri Travels insisted they would pay insurance compensation and claimed the accident began when the biker skidded under the bus during rain, rupturing the diesel tank.
Passenger Identification and Aftermath
Many victims' bodies were badly burned, complicating identification; DNA testing was required for final confirmation. The government has established hotlines for those seeking information about relatives. Survivors and eyewitnesses described a chaotic escape, with many grateful for having broken windows to flee as the fire intensified.
Conclusion
The Kaveri Travels bus accident stands as a stark reminder of the deadly consequences of regulatory violations and poor safety standards in private intercity travel. As investigations continue, authorities have vowed enhanced inspection, enforcement, and penalties to prevent such tragedies on Indian highways.