Andhra government forms panel to probe bus fire in Kurnool that killed 20 people

The Andhra Pradesh government on Friday constituted a committee of officials from transport, road and revenue departments to probe the deadly bus fire here in which 20 people died.

State Home Minister V Anitha said the bus was carrying 39 adult passengers, four children and two unidentified persons. One of the passengers disembarked early while the other remained on board.

“The government has constituted a high-powered committee with officials from transport, road and revenue departments to investigate the bus fire accident,” he said while addressing a press conference.

A private bus traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru caught fire in this district after it collided with a two-wheeler, killing 20 people, most of them burnt beyond recognition, police said.

The minister said ten special teams have been deployed to collect and examine DNA samples to identify the dead, while four forensic teams are investigating the cause of the fire and two teams are handling chemical analysis.

He said that action would be taken based on the findings of the committee.

Nine people are undergoing treatment, including six with fractures, who have been admitted to the Kurnool Government General Hospital (GGH), while three are at a private facility. He said that one driver has been taken into custody while the other is absconding.

Anita further said that the bus had a valid All India Permit and Fitness Certificate.

The minister said that after the completion of the investigation, a detailed report will be submitted to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.