At least 44 passengers were charred to death when bus caught fire in South Indian State of Andhra Pradesh on early Wednesday.
New Delhi, Oct 30/Nationalturk – In a tragic accident, at least 44 passengers were charred to death as bus caught fire in South Indian State of Andhra Pradesh on early Wednesday.
“The luxury Volvo bus was ferrying 49 passengers from Southern Indian city of Bangalore to Hyderabad and met with an accident at around 0510 hours in Mahabubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh State. The bus hit a culvert, damaging its diesel tank which led to fire in the bus,” police sources said.
They said the bus, which started its journey from Bangalore at 2300 hours on Tuesday night was completely damaged and 44 passengers, who were sleeping, charred to the death in the blaze.
Police said driver along with cleaner and five other passengers managed to escape from the burning bus.
The locals who rushed to the spot to rescue the people from the burning bus said within no time the bus was reduced to ashes. “The victims were charred beyond recognition.”
‘Bus was travelling high speed’
A senior police official said it seems the bus was travelling at a high speed when its fuel tank hit the roadside culvert and caught fire.
“The passengers in the bus were burnt beyond recognition. The entire bus has been gutted,” he said adding they were collecting list of passengers who had boarded the bus last night.
‘Central locking system was jammed’
According to media reports, initial investigations reveal that central locking system of the luxury bus jammed preventing people from getting out of the door and windows.
Police sources said most of bodies were found at the rear end of the bus indicating that passengers had tried to rush to the door.
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the bus accident. He has extended his heartfelt condolences with the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the accident.
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Faiz Ahmad / NationalTurk India News
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