NANDYAL, Andhra Pradesh, Jan 22 — Three people lost their lives early Thursday when a private bus caught fire after colliding with a container lorry in Nandyal district. The bus, en route from Nellore to Hyderabad, reportedly lost control following a tyre burst, jumped the road divider, and collided head on with the lorry carrying motorcycles near Srivella Metta around 2 a.m.
Police confirmed that the deceased include the drivers of both vehicles and the lorry’s cleaner. All 36 passengers survived, though four sustained minor fractures and were admitted to Nandyal District Government Hospital.
Eyewitnesses, including the bus cleaner and conductor, helped break windows to rescue trapped passengers, who were seen jumping out to escape the fire. Police and firefighters promptly launched rescue operations, but both vehicles were completely gutted.
Traffic was disrupted for several hours, with cranes deployed to remove the burnt vehicles. Preliminary investigations indicate that the tyre burst caused the bus to veer off course, triggering the fatal collision and fire.
This tragedy follows a similar incident in Kurnool district last October, when 19 people died after a bus caught fire following a collision with a motorbike on the road.