10 Killed as Private Bus Catches Fire After Collision With Truck in Karnataka’s Chitradurga
Tragic Crash on Christmas Morning on NH-48 Ends in Deadly Fire
At least 10 people lost their lives early on Christmas Day after a private sleeper bus caught fire following a collision with a truck in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district.
The tragic accident took place on National Highway-48 (NH-48) near Gorlathu village in Hiriyur taluk, between 2:30 am and 3 am, police said.
What Happened
The bus was travelling from Bengaluru to Shivamogga with around 32 passengers on board. Most passengers were asleep when the incident occurred.
According to preliminary reports, a truck jumped the central divider and collided head-on with the bus. The impact occurred near the fuel tank area, triggering a massive fire that spread rapidly through the vehicle.
Within minutes, the bus was completely engulfed in flames, leaving many passengers trapped inside.
Casualties and Rescue Efforts
Police confirmed that 10 passengers died, most of them due to severe burns. Several others managed to escape through windows and emergency exits with the help of locals and rescue teams.
The injured were rushed to hospitals in Hiriyur, Chitradurga and nearby areas, where they are currently undergoing treatment.
Fire tenders, police personnel and emergency responders reached the spot soon after the accident, but the intensity of the blaze made rescue operations extremely difficult.
Official Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia compensation for the families of the deceased from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. An additional ₹50,000 was announced for those injured.
Karnataka government officials also conveyed condolences and ordered a detailed investigation into the cause of the crash.
Investigation Underway
Police are examining whether overspeeding, negligence or road conditions played a role in the accident. The exact cause will be determined after a full investigation.
The incident has once again raised concerns over highway safety, especially during late-night and early-morning travel on busy national highways.
