A private bus operated by Kaveri Travels caught fire on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru highway near Kurnool, with at least 32 people feared dead

NEW DELHI: At least 32 people are feared dead after a private bus belonging to Kaveri Travels caught fire at Chinna Tekuru village in Kurnool district on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru highway early Friday.The incident occurred after the bus hit a bike, triggering a massive blaze that engulfed the vehicle within minutes.Twelve passengers managed to escape, while others are suspected to have been trapped inside as the fire spread rapidly.Rescue and firefighting operations are underway, and officials are yet to confirm the exact death toll.Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu offered condolences to the families of the victims.The Kurnool tragedy comes just days after a similar bus fire in Rajasthan, where 22 people, including three children, were killed and 13 others critically injured when a bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire near Thaiyat village on October 14. A suspected short circuit in the vehicle’s air-conditioning unit, which led to a gas leak, is believed to have triggered that blaze.(More details are awaited)