Vijayawada, March 27: In a tragic incident, at least 14 persons were burnt to death and several others sustained injuries when a private bus caught fire in Andhra Pradesh late Thursday night. The bus, carrying passengers from a nearby town, went up in flames after a suspected short circuit, leaving little time for escape. Rescue teams rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to hospitals, where many are reported to be in critical condition.
President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the loss of lives. In her condolence message, the President said she was “deeply saddened by the bus fire tragedy in Andhra Pradesh” and extended sympathies to the bereaved families. The Prime Minister also conveyed condolences and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured, assuring that the Centre would extend all possible assistance to the state authorities.
State officials confirmed that the bus was completely gutted in the blaze, and forensic teams have been deployed to ascertain the exact cause of the fire. Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has directed officials to provide immediate medical care to the injured and support to the families of the deceased. Local police have registered a case and initiated an investigation.
The tragedy has cast a pall of gloom across the region, with leaders and citizens alike mourning the sudden loss of lives. Authorities are expected to review safety measures for passenger vehicles to prevent such incidents in the future.
