Over 10 dead as sleeper bus catches fire after colliding with truck in Karnataka
The private sleeper coach bus, operated by Seabird Travels, was travelling from Bengaluru to Shivamogga. It was hit by the lorry, triggering a massive fire that engulfed the vehicle.
Bengaluru: More than 10 people were killed and over 20 others injured after a private sleeper bus caught fire following a head-on collision with a truck on Thursday. The incident took place on National Highway 48 near Gorlathu village in Hiriyur taluk of Chitradurga district in the early hours of Thursday, around 2:30 am.
The private sleeper coach bus, operated by Seabird Travels, was travelling from Bengaluru to Shivamogga. There were reportedly 32 people on board, including the driver and conductor. The bus was hit by the lorry, triggering a massive fire that engulfed the vehicle.
Passengers, truck driver dead
According to initial reports, more than 10 passengers were burnt alive in the blaze, making it one of the deadliest road accidents in the region in recent times. Emergency services were rushed to the scene to carry out relief and rescue operations.
"A lorry hit the divider and collided with the bus early Thursday morning. As per preliminary investigation, the lorry might have hit the bus's fuel tank, leading to the blaze. While the truck driver and some passengers are confirmed dead, a few people managed to escape the fire" a police official said.
At least nine passengers escaped unhurt, while the injured were shifted to Hiriyur and Chitradurga hospitals, according to reports. Officials said that recovery operations are underway with authorities and emergency teams clearing the charred bus from the roadway.
PM Modi expresses grief
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the Chitradurga bus accident. He also announced a financial compensation of Rs 2 lakh to the families of the passengers killed in the fire and Rs 50,000 to those injured.
Passengers recount horror
Recounting the tragedy, a bus passenger, who escaped unhurt, said that he heard people screaming after the fire. He said that he was not able to open the door of the bus and managed to escape by breaking the glass window.