A major bus fire on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida has claimed nine lives and injured several passengers, prompting a police investigation into how the blaze started and whether safety procedures were followed.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The incident occurred late Wednesday night near Dayanatpur village in the Jewar area of Gautam Buddh Nagar. The sleeper bus was travelling from Delhi to Mahoba and reportedly had around 35 passengers on board.
The bus had reportedly begun its journey from Kashmere Gate in Delhi. According to officials cited by DT Next, it was travelling near the 33-kilometre milestone when the fire broke out. The incident occurred at approximately 11 pm.
Most passengers were sleeping when the fire began. As smoke spread throughout the bus, passengers woke up and attempted to escape. Some reportedly used windows to get out of the vehicle.
The sudden fire created severe confusion inside the sleeper coach. Passengers had to move quickly while dealing with smoke and limited visibility. Some were able to escape, but others became trapped as the flames spread.
Firefighters and police teams were sent to the location after authorities received information about the incident. Several fire tenders were deployed to control the blaze and support the rescue operation.
Officials said 20 passengers were rescued safely. However, nine people died in the fire. Several others were injured and taken to medical facilities.
The precise cause of the fire has not yet been established. Police have said that a preliminary investigation suggests a short circuit in the air-conditioning system may have triggered the blaze. Investigators are continuing to examine the vehicle before reaching a final conclusion.
The investigation has also resulted in arrests. The bus driver and conductor were taken into custody, and Jewar police registered a case under provisions related to culpable homicide.
A report based on the FIR said passengers had allegedly noticed smoke and a burning smell and alerted the driver and helper. The FIR reportedly contains allegations that the warnings were not acted upon promptly. These allegations remain part of the investigation and will have to be established through evidence and the legal process.
The Uttar Pradesh government has responded to the incident by directing officials to provide medical care to injured passengers. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the families of those who died and asked officials to provide necessary assistance.
The tragedy has once again drawn attention to the importance of emergency preparedness in passenger buses. In an overnight sleeper coach, many passengers may be asleep when an emergency develops. Quick detection, functioning emergency exits, accessible windows, fire extinguishers and trained staff can therefore be important elements of passenger safety.
Authorities will now investigate the condition of the bus, its electrical and air-conditioning systems, maintenance records and the response of the crew. Survivor statements and forensic examination of the vehicle are also expected to form part of the investigation.
The incident remains a developing case. Further details about the victims, injured passengers, cause of the fire and possible safety lapses are expected as police and other authorities continue their inquiry.
