New Delhi, Oct 24 – The Congress party has called for accountability following a tragic bus fire incident in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, which resulted in the loss of 12 lives. Rahul Gandhi emphasized that such recurrent accidents raise significant concerns regarding the safety of public transport systems.

On Friday, a private bus traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru caught fire after colliding with a two-wheeler in Kurnool. A senior police official confirmed the fatalities, which included both passengers and the motorcyclist involved in the crash.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge expressed his deep sorrow over the incident, stating, “The tragic incident that resulted in the loss of many precious lives is profoundly distressing.” He extended heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and wished for a swift recovery for those injured.

Kharge stressed the necessity for accountability in light of these recurring tragedies. In a Hindi post on X, Rahul Gandhi described the loss of innocent lives in the bus fire as deeply tragic and painful. He conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and hoped for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Gandhi pointed out that such accidents raise serious questions about public transport safety, stating, “Passenger safety is a top priority, and it is essential to ensure accountability for these accidents, along with responsibility for vehicle maintenance.”

Initial reports indicate that the motorcycle collided with the bus near Chinnatekur in Kurnool, causing the bike to get dragged underneath the bus with its fuel cap open, which likely triggered the fire. Kurnool Range DIG Koya Praveen reported that, as of now, 11 passengers and the biker have died. The police are currently assessing the situation inside the bus, and the status of nine other passengers remains uncertain.

A comprehensive understanding of the casualties and survivors will only be possible after a thorough investigation and identification of all individuals involved in the accident.