At least 23 persons were killed when the bus in which they were travelling from Chennai to Pollachi fell into a culvert and caught fire near Avalurpet village, about 45 km from here, late Tuesday night.
The air-conditioned sleeper-bus operated by a private transporter KPN was full but for four berths kept for passengers boarding at Vellore, police said.
They said there were 23 passengers in the bus when the mishap occurred.
Initial reports said the bus driver tried to overtake a truck, lost control and fell into five-foot deep culvert. The bus burst into flames.
“All the dead are charred beyond recognition. It is a gory sight,” said Murugan, an eyewitness.
He said there was just one survivor by name Karthik, who was rushed to the Kancheepuram government hospital before being shifted to Chennai for treatment.
An unconfirmed report said bus driver Nagaraj also escaped.