A private bus traveling from Nellore to Hyderabad collided with a lorry on the Allagadda-Nandyal National Highway near Sirivella Meta, igniting a fire that killed three people. The drivers of both vehicles and the lorry cleaner perished in the blaze. All 36 passengers escaped the bus, with some sustaining injuries.
The accident occurred at midnight on January 21, 2026, in Nandyal district, Andhra Pradesh, claiming three lives in a devastating fire. The private bus, heading from Nellore to Hyderabad, suffered a tyre burst near Sirivella Meta on the Allagadda-Nandyal National Highway, causing the driver to lose control. It veered across the road divider and smashed into an oncoming lorry, sparking a fire that quickly engulfed both vehicles.
At the time, 36 passengers were aboard the bus, all of whom managed to escape thanks to the quick action of a passing DCM vehicle driver who shattered the windows to aid their exit. Several passengers sustained injuries in the chaos.
Police and fire services arrived promptly, extinguishing the flames and transporting the injured to a nearby hospital. Both the bus and lorry were completely destroyed in the blaze.
Roads and Buildings Minister B.C. Janardhan Reddy expressed shock over the incident and directed officials to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured. The tragedy has raised concerns about road safety on the highway.
