‘I fell and there were flames on my body’: Markapuram bus fire survivors recount horror

Markapuram: At least 13 people were killed in a horrific bus fire near Markapuram in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday after a private bus rammed into a tipper truck. Survivors recalling how they woke up to flames, smoke and chaos within seconds of the crash.

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced financial aid of Rs 5 lakh each for the families of those killed in the bus fire accident in Markapuram district.

Passengers wake up to fire and panic

Most passengers were asleep when the accident occurred in the pre-dawn hours on a road leading to Podili. Survivors said they were suddenly jolted awake, only to find the bus filled with thick smoke and rapidly spreading flames.

A woman passenger recalled how a young boy travelling with them sensed danger moments after the crash.

“Pinni, we will die after the accident,” he said. While two of them managed to escape through a side door, the boy remains missing.

Another injured passenger said he realised what had happened only after flames reached him.

“I was sleeping… suddenly I fell and there were flames on my body,” he said from his hospital bed.

Trapped in darkness, struggling to escape

A man seated in the front row said he struggled to breathe due to heavy smoke. “Everything was dark. I didn’t realise anything until the heat became unbearable,” he said.

Several survivors described scenes of chaos, with passengers trampling over each other in a desperate attempt to escape. Many were unable to locate the emergency exit in time as panic spread inside the burning bus.

Another passenger said he managed to squeeze out through a window, while another opened the emergency door and helped a woman to safety.

A woman travelling on the upper berth said she jumped down in confusion.

“I didn’t understand anything. Somebody pulled me out; I don’t know who,” she said, sobbing.

Collision triggers massive blaze

The accident occurred around 5:30–6 am when the private bus rammed into a tipper truck loaded with concrete chips near Rayavaram village.

The impact was so severe that the front portion of the bus was completely damaged, while the truck toppled onto its side. Within minutes, both vehicles were engulfed in flames, leaving several passengers trapped.

Officials said most of the victims were charred to death. Several burnt bodies were found on the road before being shifted to ambulances, highlighting the intensity of the blaze.

Mother sacrifices life to save son

In one of the most heart-wrenching moments, 45-year-old Uppu Ramadevi from Mandadivaripalli village gave up her life to save her son.

Travelling with her son Manohar from Jagtial, she pushed him out of the bus through a window as the fire spread rapidly. While her son survived, she was unable to escape and was trapped inside the burning vehicle.

Over 20 injured, many critical

More than 20 passengers sustained injuries and are undergoing treatment in nearby hospitals. Several victims suffered severe burns, while others are being treated for smoke inhalation and trauma.

Over speeding likely caused accident

Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident. Preliminary reports suggest possible overspeeding or driver error, though officials said a detailed probe is underway.

Rescue teams, along with locals, rushed to the spot and played a crucial role in pulling survivors out of the wreckage and shifting the injured to hospitals.