A forensic report has definitively concluded that a drunk biker caused the devastating bus fire in Kurnool, which killed 20 people. The accident, which occurred in the early hours of Friday, October 24, involved a private bus traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru. Police confirmed on Sunday, October 26, that the biker, B. Shiva Shankar, was under the influence of alcohol when his motorcycle crashed, leading to the bus collision and subsequent inferno.^{[1][2][3][4][5]} ### Forensic Report Confirms Alcohol Influence District Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil released an official statement on Sunday, revealing crucial findings from the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL) report. The RFSL analysis confirmed the presence of alcohol traces in Shiva Shankar's viscera samples. This established that the biker had consumed alcohol before the tragic mishap.^[1][4][5] K. Praveen, DIG Kurnool, stated that the biker was inebriated and his motorcycle's headlight was not working. "As a result of rash driving under the influence of alcohol, the bike met with an accident," Praveen told the Indian Express.^[1][2][3] This combination of factors directly led to the initial crash. ### Tragic Chain of Events Unfolds The investigation determined that Shiva Shankar, who was 21 or 22 years old and from Kurnool, lost control of his bike near Chinnatekuru village on the outskirts of Kurnool. His motorcycle skidded off the road and hit a divider, throwing him off the vehicle and causing his death on the spot.^[4][5][6] A pillion rider, Yerriswami, who was with Shiva Shankar, reportedly tried to move the bike and the deceased biker from the road.^{[2][3][4][5][6]} Before Yerriswami could clear the scene, the Vemuri Kaveri Travels bus arrived and ran over the fallen motorcycle. The bike became stuck under the bus and was dragged for several hundred meters, estimated between 200 and 300 meters.^[2][3][5] This dragging friction, combined with fuel leakage from the motorcycle's tank, ignited a massive fire that rapidly engulfed the bus.^[7][8][9] ### Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation The fire claimed the lives of 19 bus passengers and the biker, bringing the total death toll to 20.^{[1][2][3][5][8]} The bus was carrying 41 passengers at the time of the accident.^[3] While 27 people, including the two bus drivers, managed to escape the burning vehicle, many suffered injuries.^{[5][10][11][6][9]} The bodies of the victims were charred beyond recognition, making identification difficult. DNA tests were critical in identifying the deceased, and 18 bodies have since been handed over to their families. One body remains unidentified.^[7][6][12] The victims hailed from various states, including Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Bihar.^[11][6] Authorities have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against both the bus driver, Miriyala Lakshmaiah, and the deceased biker, Shiva Shankar, based on a complaint alleging negligence and speeding.^[5][10][6] A Special Investigation Team (SIT) is probing the incident.^[2] The Andhra Pradesh government announced an ex-gratia of 5 lakh rupees for the families of the deceased and 2 lakh rupees for the injured from the state.^[10] The Telangana government also provided similar compensation for its residents affected by the tragedy.^[11] Further investigations are looking into whether a consignment of approximately 400 smartphones on board the bus, with their lithium-ion batteries, contributed to the intensity and rapid spread of the fire.^[7][8] However, some police officials suggest the bus's own batteries were a more significant factor in the blaze.^[8]