Key Points:
- Accident occurred at 2:30 AM on NH-48 near Gorlathu village, Hiriyur taluk in Chitradurga district
- Private sleeper bus with 29 passengers collided with truck that jumped the central divider
- At least nine people burnt alive, several injured with severe burns, some in critical condition
- Bus driver, conductor, and some passengers escaped by jumping out of the burning vehicle
- Truck driver among the deceased; victims include passengers from Bengaluru and Gokarna
- Traffic jam stretched 30 kilometers on the highway, creating chaotic situation
- PM Modi announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia for kin of deceased, ₹50,000 for those injured
- Investigation ongoing at Hiriyur Rural Police Station; preliminary findings suggest possible tyre burst
A horrific road accident has claimed at least nine lives in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district after a private sleeper bus caught fire following a collision with a truck on National Highway-48. The incident occurred around 2:30 AM on Thursday near Gorlathu Cross in Hiriyur taluk, when most passengers were fast asleep.
The bus was carrying 29 passengers on its journey from Bengaluru to Shivamogga, covering a distance of over 300 kilometers, when a truck traveling in the opposite direction jumped the road divider and collided head-on with the bus. The impact was so severe that the bus immediately burst into flames, trapping several passengers inside the burning vehicle.
According to East Zone Inspector General of Police Ravikanthe Gowda, most of the victims were burnt alive inside the bus as the fire spread rapidly. The bus driver, conductor, and some alert passengers managed to escape by jumping out of the vehicle, saving their lives. However, nine unfortunate people could not escape as the flames completely engulfed the bus.
The truck driver, identified as Kuldeep, also died in the accident. Among the survivors, Gagan Shri and Rashmi from Bengaluru, and Rakshita from Gokarna, are reported to be in critical condition with severe burn injuries. Several other injured passengers have been shifted to nearby hospitals in Hiriyur, Chitradurga, and Shira in Tumakuru district for treatment.
The accident created a massive disruption on National Highway-48, with a traffic jam stretching approximately 30 kilometers. Witnesses at the scene attempted to extinguish the fire but were unsuccessful due to its intensity. Emergency services responded promptly, with police and fire brigade teams reaching the spot and bringing the blaze under control after considerable effort.
Rescue operations were complicated by the intense fire that completely gutted the bus, leaving charred, mangled remains on the highway. Emergency workers used cranes to clear the damaged vehicles from the roadway, while dead bodies in body bags lay around the accident site as recovery operations continued.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives and announced an ex gratia relief of ₹2 lakh for the kin of each deceased victim, while ₹50,000 will be given to those injured in the accident. The Prime Minister’s Office conveyed his condolences and support for the affected families.
Chitradurga Superintendent of Police Ranjith visited the accident site to oversee the investigation. A case has been registered at the Hiriyur Rural Police Station, and further inquiries are underway to determine the exact sequence of events. Preliminary investigations suggest that a tyre burst may have caused the truck to lose control and jump the divider, though officials are examining all possible angles.
The tragedy has once again raised concerns about road safety on National Highway-48, a major arterial route connecting Bengaluru to northern Karnataka. Authorities are expected to review safety measures and traffic management systems to prevent similar incidents in the future.
