Hyderabad, October 24, 2025 – Telugu actor Vishnu Manchu has expressed his profound shock and grief following a tragic bus accident in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, that claimed the lives of at least 25 people. The accident occurred early Friday morning near Chinnatekuru village in Kallur Mandal when a private sleeper bus, en route from Hyderabad to Bengaluru, collided with a motorcycle and caught fire.
"Deeply disturbed by the tragic bus accident on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru highway," Vishnu Manchu stated on social media. "So many innocent lives lost in such a horrific manner. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. Prayers for the injured and strength to those grieving".
The V Kaveri Travels bus was carrying approximately 41 passengers when the collision occurred around 3:30 am. Preliminary investigations suggest that the motorcycle got stuck under the bus after the collision, leading to a fuel leak and a spark that ignited the blaze. The fire rapidly spread, trapping many passengers inside the vehicle. Some passengers managed to escape by breaking open the emergency windows.
Emergency services responded swiftly, and the injured were taken to Kurnool Government General Hospital. However, rescue operations were hampered by heavy rainfall in the area. Authorities are still working to identify all the victims, with DNA samples being collected from the charred remains.
The incident has prompted widespread grief and condolences from various leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow and announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF). President Droupadi Murmu also conveyed her condolences.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured and has alerted the district administration to provide support to the victims' families. Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy also instructed officials to take necessary steps to help the survivors and the families of the deceased.
Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar expressed deep sorrow and pledged action against private bus operators who endanger lives through poorly maintained vehicles. The State government has also established a helpline to assist the families of the affected passengers.
The accident has raised concerns about the safety of private bus operations and the enforcement of safety regulations. Authorities are conducting a comprehensive investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident and to identify any lapses in safety protocols. The bus had 16 traffic violations.
This is not the first time a bus fire has occurred on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru route. A similar tragedy in 2013 claimed the lives of 45 people. These incidents highlight the urgent need for stricter safety measures and better enforcement to prevent such devastating accidents in the future.
