Combustion Point

The bus fire near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh that killed at least 20 people is not just another road tragedy ~ it is a symptom of how technological progress and regulatory neglect can together turn mobility into mortality.

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The collision that triggered the blaze was accidental; what followed was systemic failure.

According to forensic findings, the bus was transporting over two hundred smartphones whose lithium-ion batteries ruptured on impact, intensifying the fire beyond control. Within minutes, a routine overnight journey from Hyderabad to Bengaluru became a death trap. Survivors have spoken of flames spreading faster than they could react, a chilling reminder that safety in Indian public transport remains largely incidental rather than institutional.

Lithium-ion batteries have revolutionised the modern world, powering everything from electric vehicles to personal gadgets. But their convenience hides a volatile truth ~ these are controlled chemical reactors, capable of thermal runaway when damaged or overheated.