Published: 23 October 2025Al JazeeraGeneral
Kurnool Bus Fire in Andhra Pradesh Kills 20; Lithium Batteries Intensify Blaze
A devastating bus fire on October 24, 2025, near Chinnatekur village in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, killed 19 bus passengers and the motorcycle rider. A Volvo bus carrying 41 passengers from Hyderabad to Bengaluru caught fire after a motorcycle collision on the highway.
The blaze was intensified by explosions from 234 smartphones carrying lithium batteries in the luggage compartment. Some passengers escaped by breaking windows, while others perished before help arrived. PM Modi announced ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh per deceased and ₹50,000 per injured from PMNRF. This was the second major bus fire in India within 10 days, after the Jaisalmer tragedy.
0Mains angle
Q: Discuss the fire safety risks posed by lithium-ion batteries in public transport, with reference to the October 2025 Kurnool bus fire, and suggest regulatory measures.
Answer (50 words):
The October 24, 2025 Kurnool bus fire killed 25 passengers when 234 smartphones with lithium batteries in the luggage compartment exploded, intensifying the blaze after a motorcycle collision. Regulators must mandate battery declaration at boarding, fire-retardant luggage compartments, additional emergency exits, thermal-runaway detectors, and sustained passenger awareness campaigns to prevent recurrence.
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CoverageNationalSubjectNationalExamBasic Computer Instructor · CET Graduation · CET Senior Secondary · EO/RO · LDC · Mahila Supervisor · Patwar · PTI · RAS · REET · RPSC SI · School Lecturer · Senior Computer Instructor · Senior Teacher · UPSC · Vanpal · PrelimsSourceAl Jazeera
Practice MCQ from this story
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Linked questionEasy
In the Kurnool bus fire of October 2025, the blaze was intensified by explosions from which source?
Explanation · Correct answer BThe bus fire on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru highway was intensified by explosions from 234 smartphones carrying lithium batteries in the luggage compartment. At least 25 passengers were killed in this incident near Chinnatekur village, Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh.
Frequently asked questions
What happened in the Kurnool bus fire in Andhra Pradesh?
A **bus fire in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh killed 25 people**. Investigations suggested that **lithium batteries** (likely from mobile phones or portable devices onboard) intensified the blaze, causing rapid spread and preventing passengers from escaping.
How many people died in the Kurnool bus fire?
The **Kurnool bus fire in Andhra Pradesh killed 25 people**, making it one of the deadliest bus accidents in recent years. The fire spread rapidly, with lithium batteries on board intensifying the flames.
How did lithium batteries contribute to the Kurnool bus fire?
**Lithium batteries** in mobile phones and devices carried by passengers ignited during the fire, causing **thermal runaway** — a chain reaction releasing intense heat, toxic fumes, and flames that are difficult to extinguish with water, intensifying the blaze rapidly.
What safety concerns does the Kurnool bus fire raise about public transport?
The tragedy highlighted **safety gaps in India's road transport**: lack of adequate fire suppression systems in buses, poor emergency exit accessibility, the danger of lithium battery fires, and gaps in driver training for fire emergencies.
What measures can prevent bus fires like the Kurnool accident?
Prevention measures include **mandatory automatic fire suppression systems in buses, flame-retardant seating, emergency exit drills, heat sensors, prohibition on carrying loose lithium batteries in passenger compartments**, and regular bus safety inspections.
