9 Killed as Sleeper Coach Bus Catches Fire After Truck Collision on NH-48 in Chitradurga
Chitradurga : Even as the shock of the recent Kurnool bus tragedy in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh continues to linger, Karnataka witnessed another devastating road accident in the early hours of Wednesday.
A private sleeper coach bus caught fire following a collision with a container truck near Gorlattu Cross in Hiriyur taluk of Chitradurga district, resulting in the deaths of at least 9 passengers. The incident occurred around 3 am on National Highway 48, casting a dark shadow over the Christmas season and preparations for the New Year.
The bus, operated by a private service provider, had departed from Bengaluru’s Majestic bus stand and was heading towards Gokarna in Uttara Kannada district via Shivamogga and Honavar.
According to preliminary information, a container truck travelling from the opposite direction jumped the road divider and rammed into the sleeper coach. The impact triggered a fire, and the bus was soon engulfed in flames, leaving passengers with little time to escape.
Officials said the bus had a seating capacity of 32, of which 29 seats were booked. Among the passengers, 25 were travelling to Gokarna, two to Kumta and two to Shivamogga. Reports indicate that more than 9 passengers lost their lives in the accident, while several others sustained serious injuries.
The injured were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment, and authorities have warned that the death toll could rise. Most of the passengers on board were reportedly from Gokarna, raising concerns that many of the deceased may belong to the coastal town. The bus was completely gutted in the fire.
However, the bus driver, conductor and a few passengers reportedly managed to escape by jumping out immediately after the collision. The driver of the container truck, identified as Kuldeep, is said to have died in the accident.
Police sources stated that negligence on the part of the truck driver is suspected to be the primary cause of the accident. The container truck was reportedly travelling from Hiriyur towards Bengaluru at the time of the collision.
Senior police officials, including the Superintendent of Police, visited the accident site and supervised rescue and investigation efforts. A case has been registered at the Hiriyur Rural Police Station.
There were 15 women and 14 men travelling on the bus. Authorities have released a list of passengers who were on board, and efforts are underway to inform families and complete identification procedures. Among those reported to be critically injured are passengers from Bengaluru and Gokarna, who are currently undergoing treatment.
The accident led to massive traffic congestion on National Highway 48, with vehicles stranded for nearly 30 kilometres. Traffic movement was severely affected up to Sira, and police worked for several hours to clear the road and restore normalcy.
The tragedy has drawn comparisons to the recent Kurnool incident in Andhra Pradesh, where a private bus carrying 41 passengers caught fire after hitting a two-wheeler, claiming 20 lives, including members of a family based in Bengaluru.
With back-to-back accidents involving buses catching fire, questions are once again being raised about highway safety, vehicle standards and enforcement of traffic regulations.
Authorities have assured a thorough investigation into the Chitradurga accident and said further details will emerge as the inquiry progresses.
Also Read: Lokayukta Raid on Aide’s Residence: Assets Worth ₹14.38 Crore Unearthed in Bengaluru
