A deadly bus fire in southern India that killed at least 20 people was significantly worsened by the presence of hundreds of smartphones onboard, whose lithium-ion batteries exploded and intensified the blaze, according to forensic reports.
The fire broke out early on Friday when a Bangalore-bound bus collided with a motorcycle on a highway in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, causing the bus’s fuel tank to rupture and ignite. Flames rapidly engulfed the vehicle, trapping approximately 40 passengers inside as locals rushed to rescue survivors amid the chaos. The collision occurred on a busy route, and the immediate explosion sent shockwaves through the area, drawing quick but overwhelmed response efforts.
Forensic investigations revealed that the bus was transporting a large shipment of smartphones, estimated between 234 and 400 devices, destined for an e-commerce company in Bengaluru. The lithium-ion batteries in these phones likely ruptured during the fire, leading to thermal runaway—a chain reaction of overheating that is difficult to control with standard firefighting methods. This phenomenon causes batteries to release intense heat and flammable gases, exacerbating fires and making them more volatile and dangerous.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene where passengers struggled to escape the inferno, with many unable to exit in time due to the rapid spread of flames. The intense heat melted parts of the bus structure, and rescue workers reported seeing bones and ash amid the wreckage, highlighting the severity of the incident. Survivors recounted screams and panic as the fire spread within minutes, leaving little time for evacuation and resulting in a high death toll.
Authorities, including the Kurnool Superintendent of Police, stated that the combination of the bus’s own batteries, flammable interior materials, and the smartphone cargo aggravated the fire. Additionally, batteries from the air conditioning system exploded, further fueling the blaze and complicating rescue efforts. The forensic team emphasized that the smartphones’ batteries acted as accelerants, turning a manageable fire into an uncontrollable inferno that consumed the vehicle entirely.
The smartphones were valued at approximately 4.6 million Indian rupees (around $52,000), and their presence has raised questions about the transportation of hazardous goods on passenger vehicles. This incident underscores the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, which are known to pose fire hazards when damaged, especially in confined spaces like buses. Similar incidents globally have prompted calls for stricter regulations on shipping electronic devices with such batteries.
An investigation has been launched into possible negligent driving, as the bus driver fled the scene after the crash. The motorcyclist involved in the collision is believed to be among the deceased. Police are examining safety protocols and whether proper regulations were followed for transporting such cargo, including if the smartphones were declared or if overcrowding contributed to the tragedy.
This tragedy brings attention to broader issues of road safety in India, which has one of the highest rates of road accident fatalities globally. Bus operators often overlook safety rules, and overcrowding is common, contributing to such disasters. The event has sparked calls for stricter enforcement of transportation laws, including better inspection of cargo and improved vehicle maintenance standards.
In the aftermath, local authorities are reviewing measures to prevent similar incidents, including better handling of electronic goods and improved emergency response. The community mourns the loss of lives, and the incident serves as a stark reminder of the hidden dangers in everyday transport, urging a reevaluation of how hazardous materials are managed in public conveyances.