Vizianagaram Bus Fire: A private travel bus was completely gutted in a fire after a rear tyre burst near Tarapuram in Ramabhadrapuram mandal of Andhra Pradesh’s Vizianagaram district in the early hours of Saturday, March 21, 2026. All 37 passengers on board escaped unharmed, thanks to the driver’s quick response.
According to the reports, the Odisha Travels bus was en route from Bhubaneswar to Malkajgiri when the tyre explosion triggered the fire. “Acting swiftly, the driver immediately stopped the vehicle and ensured all passengers were evacuated safely,” Circle Inspector Srinivas of the rural police station in Bobbili said as quoted by ANI.
The blaze quickly engulfed the vehicle, reducing it to a charred shell before firefighters could bring it under control.
Initial reports said Mangu Khilla, a legislator from Odisha’s Chitrakonda constituency, was among those on board. He is reported to be safe. Further details are awaited as authorities continue their investigation into the incident.
(With inputs from ANI)