An APSRTC bus went up in flames after it came in touch with low-hanging high tension power cables at Veerannagattupalle village in Kadapa district on Sunday. The incident has turned out to be a matter of concern considering the half a dozen such instances witnessed in Andhra Pradesh over the last fortnight.

The APSRTC rural service (Palle Velugu) bus was proceeding from Kadiri in Sri Sathya Sai district to Vempalle in Kadapa district when the accident happened at Veerannagattupalle.

After seeing smoke rising from the roof of the bus, the 22 passengers raised an alarm and brought the bus to a halt before rushing out to safety. Even as the passengers watched helplessly, the bus went up in flames and was almost completely gutted before the fire tenders arrived.

Left stranded in a remote location, the passengers had to search for alternative modes of transport to reach their destination.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy, who sought the details of the accident, praised the the driver for his prompt response in bringing the bus to a halt and saving the lives of the passengers.