Chitradurga (Karnataka) | At least nine persons were killed when a speeding truck crashed against a luxury sleeper bus, which caught fire under the impact, in this district early on Thursday, a senior police official said.
The bus with 32 passengers, which was on its way to Gokarna was engulfed in flames under the impact of the collision and most of the deceased were burnt alive inside the vehicle, East Zone Inspector General of Police Ravikanthe Gowda told reporters.
The accident happened after the truck jumped a road divider and collided with the oncoming bus, Gowda told reporters.
The bus driver and cleaner escaped. The truck driver is among the dead, he added.
"Our preliminary investigation hints that a diesel tanker might be involved in the accident," Gowda said.
Many passengers escaped by jumping from the bus, Gowda said.
"Our initial investigation shows that eight passengers and the truck driver have died. Of the 12 injured, nine have been shifted to Sira and three to Tumakuru. One of the critically burnt patients has been taken to Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru," he added.
The rest of the injured are out of danger, the IGP said.
Another bus from T Dasrahalli to Dandeli with 42 school children that was behind the fateful bus just escaped the accident.
"The driver of the bus carrying schoolchildren hit the bus from behind, turned to the other side and veered off the road. Fortunately, no one sustained even a minor injury," Gowda said.
The children have continued their journey in another bus, he said, adding that the school bus driver is an important eyewitness to this accident, whose statement will be recorded.
Most passengers of the bus that was involved in the accident had booked their tickets online. "We have got their phone numbers. We are trying to contact their families," he said.
The officer said a DNA test would be performed to identify the dead bodies.
New Delhi | Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled the loss of lives in a road accident in Karnataka's Chitradurga and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured.
At least nine people were killed when a bus burst into flames after it was hit by a speeding truck in Chitradurga district early Thursday. The bus was carrying 32 passengers and most of them were burnt alive, according to police.
"Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in the Chitradurga district of Karnataka. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May those injured recover at the earliest.
"An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000: PM @narendramodi," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a post on X.
Chitradurga (Karnataka) | The luxury sleeper bus involved in the Chitradurga accident that claimed at least nine lives was completely engulfed in flames, with thick plumes of black smoke billowing into the air, while people watched from a distance, immediately after the accident, visuals from the spot show.
The visuals of PTI Videos from the spot show massive flames engulfing the bus that stood motionless as fire spread through the windows and roof, lighting up the surroundings amid dense smoke before the vehicle was completely gutted.
People were also seen recording visuals of the accident.
The bus, carrying 32 passengers and travelling to Gokarna from Bengaluru, was gutted in the collision, with most of the victims burnt alive inside the vehicle, according to police officials.
The charred remains of the bus were seen lying across the highway, with the roof caved in and metal frames twisted.
The visuals also show that the bodies of the deceased were being removed from the bus.
The vehicle was reduced to what appeared like a skeletal structure, with burnt debris scattered across the road as police personnel and the firefighters with protective gear were seen inspecting the bus, clearing the scattered debris.
Burnt fragments, personal belongings and vehicle parts were scattered across the stretch of the road.
With fire tenders stationed at the spot, heavy machinery, including cranes and earthmovers, were deployed to remove the mangled remains of the vehicle. The truck involved in the collision was seen being lifted and moved away from the highway using a crane.
Police personnel were seen inspecting the debris and trying to manage traffic, preventing onlookers from entering the accident zone.
Bengaluru | Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday said that a proper investigation will be conducted into the Chitradurga bus accident in which at least nine people were killed.
Expressing grief over the loss of lives in the accident, he said, the families of those who died in the horrific accident will be given a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each, and those injured will be given Rs 50,000 each.
"My heart shook hearing the news of the horrific accident involving a lorry and a bus near Chitradurga in which many passengers were burnt alive. It is regrettable that the journey of those who were going home for the Christmas holidays ended in such a tragedy," Siddaramaiah posted on 'X'.
He said, "A proper investigation into the accident will be conducted, and the cause will be found out. I pray that the souls of the deceased may rest in peace. I also share the grief of the families of those who died in the accident."
"I have obtained information from the authorities about the incident and have instructed them to come to the aid of the victims. An investigation will be conducted into this matter, the cause of the accident will be found and necessary action will be taken," he added.
Expressing shock over the accident and loss of lives, Deputy CM D K Shivakumar said, "I express my condolences to the deceased. I wish the injured a speedy recovery. May such tragedies not recur."
Former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, Leader of Opposition R Ashoka, Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy, and state BJP President B Y Vijayendra too have expressed shock over the incident. They have offered condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery for the injured.
