At least nine people were killed and 20 others rescued after a sleeper bus carrying around 35 passengers caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida late Wednesday night, police said.
The incident took place around 11 pm near Jewar in Gautam Buddh Nagar district. The bus, bearing registration number BR32PA8647, was travelling from Kashmere Gate in Delhi to Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh when it caught fire near the 33-km milestone.
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According to Chief Fire Officer Pradeep Kumar, the flames spread rapidly through the sleeper bus, leaving passengers with little time to escape. Several people reportedly managed to get out through the windows as the fire engulfed the vehicle.
A distress call prompted the immediate deployment of fire tenders to the spot. Police and fire personnel worked through the night to extinguish the blaze and rescue passengers trapped inside the bus.
More than 20 passengers were rescued safely, Kumar said. However, when rescue personnel entered the smoke-filled vehicle, they found nine passengers dead. The victims are suspected to have died either from severe burns or suffocation.
A preliminary inquiry has suggested that a spark or possible blast in the bus’s air-conditioning system may have triggered the fire. The fire officer said the blaze could have spread rapidly after coming into contact with engine lubricant oil.
Authorities are working to identify the nine deceased passengers and inform their families. The exact cause of the fire will be established after a detailed investigation.
The bus driver and conductor have been arrested in connection with the incident. Jewar police have registered a case against them under provisions relating to culpable homicide.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the families of those killed and directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured passengers.
President Droupadi Murmu also expressed grief over the deaths. She described the incident as deeply painful and conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families. She also wished for the speedy recovery of those injured.
The accident has once again raised concerns over passenger safety on long-distance sleeper buses, particularly the risks posed by fires in enclosed vehicles where passengers may be asleep and have limited escape options.
Further details about the victims, the condition of those rescued and the circumstances that led to the fire are expected as the investigation progresses.
