Karnataka bus fire: Over 9 feared dead as Bengaluru-Shivamogga bus catches fire in Chitradurga

At least nine people lost their lives after a speeding truck rammed into a luxury sleeper bus, triggering a fire, in the district early Thursday, a senior police official said.

The bus, carrying 32 passengers and headed to Gokarna, was engulfed in flames following the impact, with most of the victims reportedly burned alive inside the vehicle, according to East Zone Inspector General of Police Ravikanthe Gowda.

The accident occurred when the truck crossed the road divider and collided with the oncoming bus, Gowda told reporters.


The bus driver and cleaner managed to escape, while the truck driver and its cleaner were among those killed. Injured passengers were taken to a hospital in Shira, in Tumakuru district.

Several passengers saved themselves by jumping out of the bus. Another bus travelling from T Dasarahalli to Dandeli, carrying 45 schoolchildren, narrowly avoided the crash.“Fortunately, the driver of the bus carrying schoolchildren swerved to the other side, preventing any injuries,” police said, adding that at least two passengers were critically injured.