A horrific road accident in southern India has left at least ten people dead after a passenger bus collided with a truck and erupted into flames. The tragedy occurred on Wednesday near Gorlathu village in Karnataka's Chitradurga district.
Collision and Immediate Inferno
The bus was travelling from the state capital Bengaluru towards Shivamogga when it was struck head-on by a truck. Preliminary reports from investigators indicate the truck had jumped the road divider and veered into oncoming traffic. The force of the impact caused the bus to catch fire almost instantly, trapping numerous passengers inside.
Senior police officer Ravikanthe Gowda confirmed the bus was carrying 32 passengers. While at least nine escaped without harm, many were not so fortunate. Police stated that some victims were burned alive, unable to escape the rapidly spreading blaze. The bus driver and his assistant survived, but the truck driver and cleaner both perished.
"We broke the glass and tried to escape. People were screaming at that time. Some tried to save others, but the fire was spreading rapidly, making rescue difficult," survivor Aditya told the Hindustan Times.
Narrow Escape for Schoolchildren
In a chilling twist of fate, a second bus carrying at least 45 schoolchildren was travelling directly behind the ill-fated vehicle. The children were on a journey from T Dasarahalli to Dandeli. According to officer Gowda, the quick thinking of their driver averted a second catastrophe.
"Fortunately, the driver steered the bus to the other side of the road and no one was injured," Gowda stated. The incident highlights the thin line between safety and disaster on the road.
Aftermath and Official Response
Rescue teams worked for hours to extinguish the fire and clear the charred wreckage from the highway, causing significant traffic disruption. Authorities have warned that the death toll could rise as recovery efforts continue. Many passengers were reportedly travelling to coastal destinations like Gokarna, with several believed to be returning home for the Christmas holidays.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, describing the loss of life as deeply saddening. He announced financial assistance of Rs 200,000 for each victim's family and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called the accident heartbreaking, noting the tragedy of a Christmas journey ending in such a way. He pledged a thorough investigation to determine the exact cause of the crash and extended solidarity to the bereaved families.
