Container Truck Rams Into Bus On National Highway 48 In Karnataka's Chitradurga, Several Charred To Death

Chitradurga: An accident took place between a truck and a private bus near the Gorlathu village in Karnataka's Chitradurga district on National Highway 48 in the early hours of Thursday. Over 10 people were charred to death in the resultant fire.

The private sleeper coach bus was travelling from Gokarna to Shivamogga. The bus was gutted in flames following the collision, resulting in the death of several passengers who were reportedly burnt alive. As per reports, nine passengers were rescued from the spot. The injured were rushed to Hiriyur and Chitradurga district hospitals for treatment. 

Police said that the container truck, heading from Hiriyur to Bengaluru, had crossed the road divider owing to the driver’s negligence and rammed into the bus. The incident took place within the Hiriyur Rural Police Station area.

Speaking to reporters at the site of the incident, Eastern Range Inspector-General of Police Ravikanthe Gowda said, “Eight people trapped inside the bus have been recovered. The lorry driver also died. 21 have been injured. They  have been admitted to Sira, Tumakuru, and Hiriyur hospitals, while one critically injured person has been shifted to Victoria hospital. A DNA team and forensic experts have arrived at the spot to conduct post-mortem procedures.”

Police said that efforts are underway to identify the deceased at the earliest and hand over their bodies to their relatives.

One of the survivors said, “The Bus left Bangalore at 11:30 pm and the accident occurred at 2 am. I fell down. I broke the glass and got out. Many were screaming but the fire had engulfed the bus.”

Another eyewitness named Sachin said, “The Seabird bus overtook us and then a container truck which was coming from the opposite side jumped the divider and collided into the sleeper bus. The truck collided close to the area where the diesel tank was located.”

Nine people sustained minor injuries in the accident and were treated at the Sira Taluk Hospital. All of them were released after receiving first aid.

In reaction to the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences and accounced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the dead and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

President Droupadi Murmu said that she was “deeply pained” by the incident and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed that it is heartbreaking that the journey of those heading to their villages for Christmas holidays ended in such a tragedy. He also mentioned that a thorough investigation should be conducted into the accident.

 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said that the news of the accident has come as a “severe shock” and offered his condolences to the bereaved families.

School Bus Overturns In Jammu

The incident took place days after around 35 children in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri, suffered injuries after their picnic bus met with an accident on the Ring Road near Bishnaw area. The bus carrying the students on picnic reportedly skidded and overturned. Following the incident, the victims were rushed to the nearby hospital. 

In another incident from Jammu and Kashmir, four individuals from a family died in in the Kishtwar area of Jammu and Kashmir after the car skidded from the road and fell into the gorge. The deceased were all pilgrims who were in the area to visit the local temple of Sarthal Mata.

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