Nine killed as sleeper bus catches fire on Yamuna Expressway

Police stated that at least nine passengers were killed after a sleeper bus with around 35 people caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway near Jewar in Greater Noida late Wednesday night. More than 20 passengers were rescued safely.

The incident occurred at around 11 pm near the 33-km milestone in Jewar, located in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddh Nagar district. According to Chief Fire Officer Pradeep Kumar, the bus, registered as BR32PA8647, was travelling from Kashmere Gate in New Delhi to Mahoba when it caught fire, The New Indian Express reported.

The flames rapidly covered the vehicle, forcing several passengers to escape through the windows. After receiving an emergency call, fire tenders were dispatched to the scene, where police and fire personnel worked through the night to control the blaze and rescue those trapped inside.

Kumar said that more than 20 passengers were brought to safety. However, when rescue personnel entered the smoke-filled bus, they discovered nine bodies. He added that the victims appeared to have died from burns or suffocation.

A preliminary inquiry indicated that a spark or blast in the bus’s air-conditioning system may have ignited engine lubricant oil, causing the fire to spread quickly, according to the fire officer.

Police are working to identify the deceased. The bus driver and conductor have been arrested, and Jewar police have registered a case against them under provisions relating to culpable homicide.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the families of the victims and directed officials to ensure that the injured receive appropriate medical treatment.

President Droupadi Murmu also condoled the loss of lives in the incident on Thursday and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.