A private bus travelling from Nellore to Hyderabad lost control after a tyre burst, crossed the median and collided with a container lorry near Sirivellametta early Thursday, killing three people and leaving several passengers injured in a fireball crash.

In the early hours of Thursday, 22 January 2026, a horrific road accident on the National Highway near Sirivellametta village in Shirivella mandal of Nandyal district claimed at least three lives and injured numerous others.

A private long‑distance bus carrying around 36 passengers from Nellore (Andhra Pradesh) to Hyderabad (Telangana) suffered a sudden tyre burst shortly after midnight, police said. The driver lost control of the vehicle, which veered across the road divider and struck a container lorry coming from the opposite direction.

The impact of the collision was immense, and nearly instantly both the bus and the container lorry were engulfed in flames, trapping those still inside.

The blaze spread rapidly, creating a chaotic and life‑threatening scene, according to police and eyewitness accounts.

District police and emergency responders reached the scene soon after the crash. Fire services were able to bring the inferno under control after a strenuous battle, but by then the accident had already claimed the lives of three people – the bus driver, the lorry driver and the lorry cleaner – who were charred beyond recognition.

Heroic Evacuation and Passenger Injuries

Despite the severity of the crash, all passengers on the bus survived, according to police sources. With the fire spreading and smoke billowing inside the bus, panic ensued among those trapped inside.

Web reports describe how a passing DCM vehicle driver intervened heroically, stopping his vehicle and breaking open the bus windows to help trapped passengers escape the blazing wreckage before it was too late.

Local residents and other commuters also rushed to the site to assist in the rescue operation, helping passengers flee from the burning bus and directing them to safety.

Many escaped by jumping out of the bus windows amid the fire. Some were treated for minor fractures and burns, while others were shifted to Nandyal Government General Hospital for further medical care.

According to police and local officials, four passengers suffered minor fractures and injuries and were admitted to hospital. Additional passengers reportedly sustained burns or bruises from jumping out of the windows or the force of the impact.

Official Response and Ongoing Investigations

Nandyal District Superintendent of Police Suneel Sheoran, along with other senior officers, visited the site to oversee rescue efforts and investigate the sequence of events that led to this tragedy. Police have registered a formal case, collected witness statements and initiated a technical probe to determine whether there were mechanical issues or operator negligence involved.

Teams from the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL) and other forensic units have been deployed from Kurnool to assist in the investigation, especially to establish whether the fire resulted solely from the crash impact or was aggravated by other factors such as the cargo load of the lorry.

Preliminary findings from the police point to the sudden tyre burst as the triggering factor that caused the bus to lose control. Authorities have emphasised that investigations will consider vehicle maintenance records, driver logs, tyre condition reports and other safety checks to ascertain if any violations occurred.

The accident also caused temporary disruption to traffic on the busy highway, with authorities redirecting vehicles until the wreckage was cleared and fire services completed their operations.

Once the blaze was contained, traffic flow was restored, though the charred remains of both vehicles remain at the scene pending detailed forensic examination.

Highway Safety Concerns and Broader Context

Incidents like this one reignite growing concerns about road safety standards on India’s highways, particularly on long‑distance routes frequented by private travel operators. Night‑time journeys on busy inter‑state highways are often riskier due to higher speeds, reduced visibility, driver fatigue and varying levels of vehicle maintenance.

In recent months and years, multiple tragic accidents involving buses have underscored gaps in enforcement of safety norms, emergency preparedness and vehicle inspection regimes.

For instance, in October 2025, a separate deadly bus fire in Kurnool district claimed at least 20 lives in another devastating collision-highlighting that such incidents are not isolated events.

Public safety advocates have frequently called for more rigorous checks on long‑distance buses, mandatory installation of fire suppression systems and regular tyre and brake inspections.

Experts note that in many such collisions, jammed emergency exits and windows can significantly increase casualties. In this latest crash, the timely intervention of passersby and bus staff played a crucial role in saving many lives—a fact officials and locals alike have acknowledged with gratitude.

Voices from the Ground and Official Condolences

Local authorities, including Roads and Buildings Minister BC Janardhan Reddy, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life. In statements shared with media, he extended condolences to the families of the deceased and urged transport operators to prioritise safety, enforce regular maintenance and ensure that buses are equipped with functioning emergency exits and safety tools.

“Every life lost in such tragedies is a stark reminder of how crucial stringent safety protocols are, especially for vehicles that carry large numbers of passengers over long distances,” an official said, underscoring the need for coordinated action.

Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with passengers shouting and scrambling to get out as smoke and flames spread quickly. “It all happened so fast,” said one local resident who helped push passengers to safety. “We are thankful that many survived, but the loss of three lives is heartbreaking.”

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

This devastating crash in Nandyal district serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of road accidents-particularly when preventable factors like tyre failures and inadequate safety oversight are involved.

While it is encouraging that heroic interventions by bystanders and quick emergency response helped avert a higher death toll, systemic improvements are urgently needed.

Strengthening vehicle safety enforcement, ensuring comprehensive pre‑journey checks and raising public awareness about travel risks can help avert similar tragedies in the future.