The bus, operated by Seabird Coach, was travelling from Bengaluru to Shivamogga, covering a distance of more than 300 kilometres. Around 2:30 am, as the bus moved along the highway, a truck approaching from the opposite direction reportedly jumped the central divider and slammed into the vehicle. The impact proved catastrophic, triggering a fire that quickly engulfed the bus.
Senior police officials said preliminary findings indicate that the truck struck the area near the bus’s fuel tank, causing diesel to spill and ignite within moments. Ravikant Gowda, Inspector General of Police, confirmed that the collision led to fuel gushing out, which rapidly turned the bus into an inferno. Despite the intensity of the blaze, some passengers managed to escape before the flames spread completely.
At the time of the accident, the sleeper bus was carrying 32 people, including the driver and conductor. Eyewitness accounts describe horrifying scenes as passengers screamed for help while trying desperately to flee the burning vehicle. Sachin, who was travelling on the same stretch of road, said the bus had overtaken his vehicle shortly before the crash. Moments later, he witnessed the container truck veer across the divider and collide with the bus near the diesel tank area.
Survivors recounted narrow escapes amid chaos and smoke. Aditya, one of the passengers who managed to survive, described being thrown to the floor during the collision and finding himself surrounded by flames. With the bus doors jammed, passengers broke window glass in a frantic attempt to get out. While some people tried to rescue others trapped inside, the rapidly spreading fire made rescue efforts extremely difficult.
Emergency services and police rushed to the scene after receiving alerts, but by the time the flames were brought under control, five passengers had been burned to death. Authorities have launched a detailed investigation to establish the exact sequence of events and determine responsibility for the crash. The truck driver’s actions and possible negligence are being examined as part of the probe.
The incident has once again drawn attention to highway safety, night-time driving risks, and the dangers posed by heavy vehicles crossing dividers. As families mourn the loss of loved ones, the tragedy underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations and improved safety measures on India’s busy national highways.
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