The victims were identified as Krishnanaik (52), a member of Sirwar Town Panchayat, his wife Anantakala Krishnanaik (45), son-in-law Sharanabasava (36), daughter Nisarga Sharanabasava (30), grandchildren Siddhartha (3), Advika (5), and Shrinidhi (1.5), Krishnanaik's niece Shashikala (30), and her son Chandan (8). Another child, Virat (10), survived the incident.

The family, residents of Sirwar in Raichur district, was returning home after offering prayers at their family deity, Sri Venugopala Swamy temple in Surpur on the occasion of Amavasya.

How the accident occurred

A private sleeper bus carrying around 20 passengers was travelling from Bengaluru towards Kalaburagi. At Shantapura cross near Tinthani bridge, the driver of the car attempted to overtake a vehicle ahead. During this attempt, the car collided head-on with the oncoming private bus.

Due to the impact and the speed of the bus, the car was dragged for nearly 40 metres. The collision triggered a fire, which quickly engulfed the car. As the vehicle was severely damaged, those inside could not escape and were burnt alive.

The fire also spread to the bus, but passengers managed to get down in time and escaped without injuries. Despite efforts by locals, those trapped inside the car could not be rescued. Both the bus and the car were completely burnt.

Surpur MLA Raja Venugopal Naik visited the spot after receiving information about the accident.

Relative visiting parental home among victims

Shashikala, Krishnanaik's niece, had come to her parental home from Tavargeri for summer holidays and family functions. She had accompanied the family to the temple along with her two children. While she and her son Chandan died in the incident, her other son Virat survived.

Background of Krishnanaik

Before entering politics, Krishnanaik had worked as a bus conductor in the transport department along with Raichur Rural MLA Basanagouda Daddal. Despite being in different political parties later, they maintained their friendship. Krishnanaik had been active in politics for over a decade and was elected twice as a member of the Town Panchayat from the BJP. He had also contested the Assembly elections in 2018 from the AIMP party. He was known in Sirwar for actively participating in public events and responding to people's concerns. His family's death has cast a pall of gloom in the town.

Police statement

Yadgir SP Prithvik Shankar said that 10 members of the same family were travelling in the car. Nine died in the accident, while one child, Virat, was rescued and admitted to hospital. He added that none of the 20 passengers in the private bus were harmed. Two passengers seated in the front were burnt, while others managed to come out but later succumbed.