A devastating road accident on National Highway 48 in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district claimed the lives of nine people on Thursday after a speeding lorry crossed the central divider and crashed into a private sleeper coach bus, triggering a massive fire, police officials confirmed.
The tragic incident occurred near Gorlathu Cross in Hiriyur taluk, turning the busy highway into a scene of chaos, panic, and heartbreak. The sleeper bus was travelling from Bengaluru to Shivamogga, carrying dozens of passengers, when it was hit head-on by the lorry, which was heading towards Bengaluru from Hiriyur.
Fire Breaks Out Within Seconds
According to the police, the collision was so severe that it ruptured the diesel tank of the bus, causing fuel to spill onto the road and ignite almost instantly. Within moments, the sleeper coach was engulfed in flames, leaving passengers trapped inside with little or no time to escape.
Eyewitnesses described terrifying scenes as flames shot up from the bus and desperate cries for help filled the air. Several passengers were asleep at the time of the crash, which further reduced their chances of reacting quickly.
“The fire spread very fast. People barely had seconds to realise what had happened,” said a local resident who rushed to the spot after hearing a loud explosion.
Death Toll and Injuries
Police officials said eight passengers travelling in the bus lost their lives in the blaze, along with the driver of the lorry, taking the total death toll to nine. Many of the victims were charred beyond recognition, complicating the identification process.
In addition to the fatalities, 21 passengers sustained burn injuries of varying degrees. They were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.
One critically injured passenger from Shira, who suffered 15 to 20 percent burns, has been referred to Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru for advanced treatment. Doctors said the remaining injured passengers are out of danger and responding well to treatment.
What Caused the Fire?
Providing details of the incident, Eastern Range Inspector General of Police Ravikanthe Gowda said preliminary investigations point to negligence by the lorry driver.
“Our investigation so far indicates that the truck rammed directly into the diesel tank of the sleeper bus. This caused fuel leakage, which immediately caught fire and led to the deaths,” he said.
He added that there were 32 passengers on board the bus at the time of the accident.
“The bus fire was triggered by the impact. Eight people inside the bus were killed, along with the truck driver. One person with serious burn injuries has been shifted to Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru, while the others are stable,” the senior police officer said.
Identification of Victims Underway
Due to the intensity of the fire, several bodies were severely burned, making visual identification difficult. Police said they are collecting DNA samples from the victims and cross-checking ticket booking details to establish their identities.
“We are coordinating with families and transport operators to confirm the identities of the deceased. DNA testing will be carried out wherever required,” officials said.
Authorities have also contacted the bus operator to obtain passenger manifests and emergency contact information to assist relatives of the victims.
Narrow Escape for Schoolchildren
In a fortunate turn amid the tragedy, a school bus carrying children was passing through the same stretch of highway around the time the sleeper bus caught fire. Police confirmed that none of the schoolchildren were injured, as the driver managed to steer clear of the burning vehicle.
“The school bus crossed the spot just as the sleeper bus caught fire. Thankfully, there were no injuries to the children,” police said.
Emergency Response and Rescue Efforts
Local residents, highway patrol teams, fire services, and police personnel rushed to the accident site soon after the crash. Firefighters worked for over an hour to bring the blaze under control, while rescue teams struggled to pull victims out of the burning bus.
Traffic on NH-48, one of Karnataka’s busiest highways, was disrupted for several hours as emergency teams cleared the wreckage and ensured the area was safe.
Senior district officials also visited the site and hospitals to assess the situation and oversee relief efforts.
Rising Concerns Over Highway Safety
The tragic accident has once again raised serious concerns about road safety on national highways, especially involving heavy vehicles and long-distance sleeper buses.
Experts point out that crossing of central dividers, speeding, and driver fatigue remain major causes of fatal accidents on highways.
“This incident highlights the need for stricter enforcement of traffic rules, better monitoring of heavy vehicles, and improved safety standards for sleeper buses,” said a road safety expert.
Government Response Expected
While no official compensation announcement had been made at the time of reporting, authorities said details would be shared after the identification of victims is completed. The district administration is expected to provide ex-gratia compensation to the families of those who lost their lives.
An FIR has been registered, and further investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances leading to the crash.
About the Author
