On October 23, at least 19 people were killed and many others were injured in a collision between a bus and a motorbike on a highway in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh.
The motorbike was stuck under the bus, leaking the fuel tank and causing a large explosion. The bus carrying about 40 passengers to Bangalore quickly sank into a sea of fire in the early morning of October 23 (local time).
The witnesses said they heard screams for help from passengers while local people tried to pull the survivors out. Some people were lucky to escape through the escape route.
The driver and the bus assistant fled the scene. Authorities are investigating the possibility of fuel leakage and the act of a crane driver.
Most of the passengers, departing from Hyderabad, were sleeping as the fire broke out. Police said the exact number of casualties is still being verified.
19 bodies have been found so far, senior police officer Koya Praveen said, adding that the motorcyclist was among the victims.
"The bus was completely burned down when the fire department arrived. The fire started in the motorbike gas tank and spread rapidly into the bus, Praveen added.
Forensic teams have been sent to the scene to identify the victims, in which some cases may require DNA testing.
Indian President Droupadi Murmu called the incident "a heartbreaking incident", expressing his deep condolences to the victims' families and wishing the injured to recover soon.
Buses are a popular means of transportation in India, but many bus companies often ignore safety regulations and carry more people than permitted.
According to statistics, traffic accidents claimed about 180,000 lives in India last year - the highest number in the world, mainly due to speeding, reckless driving and dangerous driving.
