Andhra bus accident; intensity of fire increased by explosion of 234 smartphones worth Rs 46 lakh 

KURNOOL: A crucial breakthrough has been made in the investigation into the bus accident in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. It has been found that 234 smartphones were inside the bus that exploded. Forensic experts have indicated that the batteries of these phones may have exploded, increasing the intensity of the fire in the bus.

The estimated cost of the 234 smartphones is Rs 46 lakh. These were sent in parcels by a Hyderabad-based businessman named Manganath. The goods, including smartphones, were sent to an e-commerce company in Bengaluru. From there, the phones were distributed to the customers.

Some eyewitnesses also reported hearing the sound of batteries exploding during the accident. Andhra Pradesh Fire Services Department Director General P Venkitaraman pointed out that in addition to the smartphones exploding, the electrical batteries used for the bus's air conditioning system also exploded.

The heat after the fire caused the aluminum sheets on the floor of the bus to melt. The fire spread to the front due to a fuel leak. After the bike that caused the accident got stuck under the bus, petrol spilled and the heat and sparks mixed and ignited the fire. The Director General also said that the use of lightweight aluminum instead of iron in the vehicles to reduce the weight and increase speed increased the intensity of the accident.