At least 10 people died after being burned alive when a private sleeper bus caught fire following a collision with a truck in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district. The bus was travelling from Bengaluru to Shivamogga, a journey of more than 300 kilometres, when the accident happened on National Highway-48. The crash took place around 2 am on Thursday, when most passengers were asleep.
According to initial reports, a truck coming from the opposite direction jumped the divider and crashed into the bus. After the impact, the bus quickly caught fire and was completely engulfed in flames.
The bus, operated by Seabird Coach, was carrying 32 people, including the driver and conductor. So far, 10 deaths have been confirmed, but officials fear the toll could rise to 17, as 11 passengers are still missing.
Around six injured passengers are being treated at hospitals in Hiriyur and Chitradurga. As per PTI, nine passengers managed to escape without injuries.
Early findings suggest the lorry driver was at fault, police officials said. The impact of the crash and the fire that followed completely destroyed the bus, making rescue work extremely difficult.
Chitradurga Superintendent of Police Ranjith visited the accident site and is personally supervising the investigation. A case has been filed at the Hiriyur Rural Police Station, and police are continuing their probe to find out exactly how the accident happened.
A similar accident was reported on Wednesday, in which nine people lost their lives after a state-run bus veered into the opposite lane and crashed into two vehicles, police said.
Officials said the bus lost control after a tyre burst, which caused it to cross over to the other side of the road. Four people, including two children, suffered serious injuries and are currently receiving treatment at government hospitals.
