9 dead as Bengaluru–Shivamogga bus catches fire after lorry collision in Chitradurga

Bengaluru

At least nine people were killed and several others injured after a private sleeper bus travelling from Bengaluru to Shivamogga caught fire following a head-on collision with a lorry on National Highway-48 in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district in the early hours of Thursday. Officials said the death toll could rise, as some victims were charred beyond recognition.

The accident occurred around 2.30 am near Gorlathu village, under the jurisdiction of the Hiriyur rural police station. Preliminary investigations suggest that a container lorry, allegedly driven negligently, jumped the highway divider and rammed into the private bus, triggering a massive fire.

According to the police, the impact is suspected to have ruptured the bus’s fuel tank, causing diesel to gush out and the vehicle to be engulfed in flames within minutes. “A lorry crossed the divider and hit the bus. The collision likely damaged the fuel tank, leading to the fire. As of now, eight passengers and the truck driver are confirmed dead,” a senior police official said, adding that the toll may increase after a detailed assessment.

The bus, operated by Seabird Coach, was carrying around 32 passengers, including the driver and conductor. While a few passengers managed to escape by breaking windowpanes, many were trapped inside as the fire spread rapidly.

Eyewitness Sachin, who was travelling on the same highway, said the bus had overtaken his vehicle moments before the crash. “A container truck coming from the opposite direction suddenly jumped the divider and crashed into the sleeper bus near the diesel tank area. The fire spread instantly,” he said.

Survivors described scenes of panic and chaos. “People were screaming. The doors wouldn’t open, so we broke the glass to escape. The fire was everywhere,” said Aditya, a passenger who narrowly escaped.

At least nine injured passengers were shifted to hospitals in Hiriyur and Chitradurga for treatment. The accident also led to massive traffic congestion on the Tumakuru–Chitradurga stretch of NH-48, with vehicles stranded for hours.

Senior police and fire department officials rushed to the spot and carried out rescue and clearance operations. A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.