India, Oct. 24 -- For the survivors, who boarded a Kaveri Travels private bus to travel from Hyderabad to Bengaluru last night, the morning of Friday began in screams and smoke, a nightmare they believe they will never forget.

Their routine overnight journey ended in chaos and charred wreckage after the Bengaluru-bound bus caught fire in this district after colliding with a two-wheeler, leaving 20 people dead.

The mishap occurred near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district, a senior police official said.

Those who lived to see the light of the day say it all happened in minutes.

"Around 2:30 am, the bus stopped suddenly. I woke up and saw flames on the window side," recalled Ashwin, one of the passengers seated just behind the drive...