45 Killed in Fiery Bus Crash in South India HYDERABAD, Andhra Pradesh - A private bus burst into flames on Wednesday after it crashed into a culvert on its way to Hyderabad, burning 45 passengers to death, including one baby. Seven survived, including the driver. The bus, which was traveling from Bangalore, rammed sideways into the culvert between 5:15 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. as it was trying to pass another vehicle on a national highway about 150 kilometers (90 miles) south of Hyderabad, said M. Girija Shankar, district collector and magistrate of Mahbubnagar. "We could not ascertain the speed of the bus at that time, but it was most certainly far higher than the recommended maximum speed for this terrain," he said. The survivors said the fuel tank exploded on impact. "The rear side of bus got engulfed into flames very quickly, leaving no chance for any of the sleeping passengers," said Mr. Shankar. The survivors - five passengers and the bus driver and cleaner - were able to jump out of the bus. The remaining passengers were charred beyond recognition, said Mr. Shankar. The driver and cleaner, both employed by Jabbar Travels of Hyderabad, have been detained, and the driver has undergone a blood alcohol test, Mr. Shankar said. D. Nagendra Kumar, superintendent of the Mahbubnagar district police, said the driver has been charged with causing grievous injuries through negligence, among other charges. Mr. Kumar said the cleaner was in critical condition and the driver was "unwell." Most of the passengers were from either Bangalore or Hyderabad, Mr. Shankar said, but the bus company was in the process of submitting a confirmed list of passengers. A government team of forensic experts arrived at the site of the accident to gather DNA samples from the bodies and metal scraps. A joint team of the police, district administration and the Road Transport Administration are conducting the investigation ordered by the state government. Sohanjeet Randhawa, head of marketing for Volvo Buses India, said the company has begun its own investigation into the cause of the accident. "We are saddened by the tragic accident that should not have happened," he said. Speaking to local press and television, a representative of Jabbar Travels said the bus possessed all necessary documents and valid permits and that the driver was well-trained and experienced. The company also promised to cooperate with the investigating agencies. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Nara Chandrababu Naidu, the Telugu Desam Party president, were among the political leaders who expressed their condolences to the families of the victims. Sriram Karri is a freelance journalist based in Hyderabad.