Kurnool, Oct. 25 -- A new lead has surfaced in the investigation into the Kurnool bus fire tragedy in Andhra Pradesh. Officials have discovered that a consignment of 234 smartphones was on board the bus that went up in flames on Friday morning.

The Bengaluru-bound private sleeper bus caught fire in the wee hours of Friday after reportedly hitting a two-wheeler and catching fire at National Highway 44 (NH-44) in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool.

Forensic experts have indicated that the batteries of these smartphones exploded, intensifying the fire that engulfed the vehicle and claimed 19 lives, according to an NDTV report.

Smartphones worth Rs.46 lakh

The shipment of 234 smartphones, valued at Rs.46 lakh, belonged to a Hyderabad-based business...