Kannur (Kerala) | A bus carrying Umrah pilgrims caught fire while travelling in this district in the early hours of Tuesday, forcing passengers to evacuate before the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames, police said.

The bus, which was transporting a group of pilgrims from Wayanad district to Kannur International Airport to begin their Umrah journey. After departing on Monday night, the bus caught fire near the Sivapuram Muslim League office at around 2 am.

Police said the driver noticed smoke rising from the bus and stopped it immediately.

The passengers were evacuated without injury, while the driver and residents of the neighbourhood acted quickly to remove the travellers' luggage from the vehicle.

Although residents and Fire and Rescue Services personnel rushed to the scene and attempted to douse the flames, the bus was destroyed in the fire.

Despite the incident, the pilgrims' journey was not derailed, and alternative arrangements ensured they were able to continue their travel to the airport.

Transport officials have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, police added.