Forty-four people dead in bus fire in Andhra Pradesh in India

Oct 30, 2013 - 13:00
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Forty-four people dead in bus fire in Andhra Pradesh in India
The bus caught fire after colliding with an oil tanker. Source: Twitter

AT LEAST 44 people have been killed when their bus was engulfed in flames after crashing on a highway in southe India, police say.

The tragedy happened after the bus smashed into a central reservation on a highway in Mahbubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh, between the cities of Bangalore and Hyderabad, piercing the fuel tank.

\"`The number of dead, which includes children, is 44,'' local police spokesman Venkateshwarlu, who uses only one name, said today.

Out of 49 people on the bus, five, including the driver and the bus cleaner, broke windows and escaped before the flames engulfed the vehicle, killing the rest, police said.

\"The driver and the cleaner tried to run, but the police caught them and they are now in our custody for questioning,'' said Venkateshwarlu, adding that the three other survivors had been admitted to a local hospital.

Media reports said that most of the passengers were asleep when the bus burst into flames about 140 kilometres from the southeaste city of Hyderabad, leaving them no time to scramble to safety.

Many of the victims were charred beyond recognition.

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.