Kurnool bus fire: Festival trip turns fatal for three young techies from AP, Telangana

Hyderabad: For many young professionals, the overnight bus to Bengaluru after Diwali is a routine journey back to work.

For M Anusha Reddy (22), Dhathri Gannamaneni (27), Chandana (23) and other passengers, it became their last. The Vemuri Kaveri Travels bus caught fire near Kurnool early Friday morning, turning a festive reunion into heartbreak.

The accident occurred when a two-wheeler rammed into the bus, and its fuel tank caught fire.

Anusha Reddy: A bright life cut short

Anusha Reddy, a software engineer from Vastakondur village in Gundala mandal, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district, had returned home for Diwali.

Anusha was the younger daughter of Srinivas Reddy and Vijitha. Hailing from a farmer’s family, she completed her engineering degree and joined a software firm about a year ago. Her elder sister, Usha, is employed as a software engineer in the United States.

Anusha boarded the bus from Khairatabad late Thursday night, never to return. Her father even had accompanied her to Mothkur, where she boarded the bus bound for Hyderabad.

A pall of gloom descended on Vastha Kondur village after news broke that Maheshwaram Anusha Reddy, a native of the village, was among those who perished in the Kurnool bus tragedy.

Her family and friends remember her for her intelligence and dedication and are in distress over her demise. Villagers, friends, and teachers mourned her loss, saying, “She worked so hard to achieve her career, and yet a single accident took everything away.” Her parents were inconsolable, unable to stop crying after seeing her one last time.

Dhathri Gannamaneni: A young life lost

Dhathri Gannamaneni, 27, from Pusapadu village, Bapatla district, Andhra Pradesh, also lost his life. Like Anusha, she had returned home for the festival before travelling back to Bengaluru. Dhathri boarded the bus at JNTU on Thursday night and she was allotted seat number U1.

The fire broke out in the front portion of the bus, trapping many passengers seated there. Among them was Dhatri, who, along with several others in the front seats, was unable to escape in time.

Safety concerns raised

Bapatla MP Krishna Prasad, who had investigated the earlier Palem bus accident, suggested possible flaws in bus design contributed to the tragedy. He assured that the matter would be raised with central authorities and emphasised the need for stronger preventive measures to avoid similar incidents.

Medak techie, mother perish in Kurnool bus tragedy

Meanwhile, tragedy also struck a family from Medak district as Chandana, a young software professional working in Bengaluru, and her mother Sandhya Rani (43), lost their lives in the Kurnool bus fire accident.

According to relatives, Sandhya Rani was on her way to Muscat to join her husband Anand Kumar, who works there. The couple had recently visited Medak to attend a family wedding. While Anand Kumar returned to Muscat a week earlier, Sandhya Rani had to delay her journey due to fever.

Chandana, who had accompanied her mother back to Bengaluru, was also travelling on the ill-fated bus. What was meant to be a brief farewell journey turned into an unimaginable tragedy for the family.

Bengaluru mother and son among victims of Kurnool bus fire

Philomena Baby J. and her son Kishore J., residents of Bengaluru, were among 20 passengers who lost their lives when a bus caught fire in Kurnool district on Friday morning. The family had travelled to Hyderabad to celebrate Deepavali with their daughter and extended relatives.

Long-awaited family reunion turns fatal

Originally from Hyderabad but living in Bengaluru for several years, the family had decided to spend the festival in the city after a long gap. What was meant to be a joyous reunion turned into a devastating loss when the bus caught fire in the early hours of Friday.

Friend remembers Kishore

Kishore had asked his close friend Subhash to book their bus tickets. Subhash, who had known him for over 21 years, said he was “at a loss for words” on hearing the news. “I tried calling them repeatedly but could not get through. Later, I learned they were among the victims of this tragic incident,” he said.

A life devoted to passion

Kishore had recently left his job in Bengaluru to follow his passion for martial arts. A trained Kung Fu instructor, he was admired by students and friends for his dedication and discipline.

A mother’s journey cut short

Philomena, who had travelled to Hyderabad with hopes of celebrating the festival with her children, is remembered by neighbours and family as a caring and devoted mother. Her untimely death alongside her son has left the family shattered, underscoring the human cost of the tragedy.