Karnataka Bus Accident in Chitradurga: At Least Nine Killed as Sleeper Bus Catches Fire After Truck Collision

At least nine people were killed after a private luxury sleeper bus caught fire following a collision with a speeding container truck in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district early Thursday, police said. 

The accident occurred near Hiriyur when the truck reportedly jumped the road divider and rammed into the bus, triggering a massive blaze. Several passengers were burned alive, while others sustained serious injuries and were admitted to hospital. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives, while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah ordered a probe into the incident.

Key Takeaways: Karnataka Bus Accident in Chitradurga

• At least nine people were killed in a bus-truck collision in Chitradurga district, Karnataka
• The accident occurred near Hiriyur on National Highway 48 in the early hours of Thursday
• A speeding container truck reportedly jumped the divider and hit the sleeper bus
• The bus caught fire, leaving several passengers burned alive
• The bus was carrying between 29 and 32 passengers, according to different reports
• President Droupadi Murmu, PM Narendra Modi, and CM Siddaramaiah expressed condolences
• An investigation has been ordered, and a complaint registered at Hiriyur Rural Police Station

Details of the Chitradurga Bus Accident

At least nine people were killed when a private luxury sleeper bus caught fire after colliding with a speeding container truck in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district early Thursday, police officials said. The accident took place near Hiriyur when the truck, allegedly overspeeding, came from the opposite direction, jumped the road divider, and rammed into the bus.

According to police, the impact of the collision caused the sleeper bus to burst into flames, trapping passengers inside. Several of them were burned alive. Fire and emergency services rushed to the spot, and by 8 am, authorities had retrieved nine bodies from the charred remains of the bus.

The accident occurred at around 2 am, according to police, while some reports placed the time closer to 3 am. The bus was travelling on National Highway 48 and was en route from Bengaluru to Gokarna.

Bus Driver’s Account of the Crash

Rafiq, the bus driver who survived the accident and is undergoing treatment, told reporters that he tried to control the bus after seeing the truck approaching from the opposite direction but failed.

“The truck came from the other side of the road divider and hit. It was overspeeding. I was maintaining a speed of 60–70 kmph at that time. I saw the vehicle coming from the front. I know only the vehicle hitting the bus; after that I don’t know what happened and how I was brought out,” he said.

He added that he attempted to avoid the collision after noticing the oncoming vehicle. “I tried to control the bus on seeing the vehicle approaching from the opposite direction. My bus even touched another vehicle moving next to us; I don’t know what vehicle it was. But I couldn’t control it,” he said.

Cleaner Thrown Out Due to Impact

Mohammed Sadiq, the cleaner of the bus, who is also undergoing treatment for minor injuries, said he was thrown out of the bus due to the impact of the crash.

“The truck that was coming from the opposite direction directly rammed the diesel tank. I was in the front of the bus and was asleep when the accident occurred. Due to the impact, I was thrown out, breaking the glass of the bus,” he said.

His account corroborated police observations that the collision with the truck’s impact on the diesel tank triggered the fire that engulfed the sleeper coach.

Passengers, Casualties, and Rescue Operations

Sources said the bus had 32 seats and was carrying between 29 and 32 passengers at the time of the accident. Of them, 15 were women and 14 were men. Most passengers were from Gokarna, while others were from Kumta and Shivamogga.

Several passengers sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a local hospital for treatment. The bus driver, conductor, and a few others managed to escape by jumping out of the vehicle before it was fully engulfed in flames.

Police and fire personnel worked for several hours to control the fire and retrieve bodies from the wreckage. The crash caused a traffic jam stretching nearly 30 kilometres, with vehicles backed up till Shiravara.

Truck Driver Identified; Probe Underway

Preliminary reports suggested negligence on the part of the truck driver. The container truck driver was identified as Kuldeep, who died in the accident.

Also Read:  Saudi Arabia Bus Accident: 42 Indian Umrah Pilgrims Burned Alive in Mecca–Madinah Tragedy

Superintendent of Police Ranjith visited the accident site to oversee the investigation. A complaint has been registered at Hiriyur Rural Police Station, and further inquiries are underway to determine the exact cause of the crash.

President, Prime Minister, and CM React

President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep grief over the incident in a post on X. “Deeply pained by the tragic bus fire incident in Chitradurga, Karnataka, which has led to the loss of lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured,” she said.

The Prime Minister’s Office said PM Narendra Modi was deeply saddened by the loss of lives. An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) would be given to the next of kin of each deceased, while the injured would receive Rs 50,000.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the news of several passengers being burned alive had left hearts trembling. He ordered a thorough investigation into the accident and expressed condolences to the families who lost their loved ones.

Separate Fatal Accident Reported in Tamil Nadu

In a separate incident, nine people were killed on Wednesday in Tamil Nadu after a state-run bus swerved into oncoming traffic and collided with two vehicles on a national highway, police said.

The Chennai-bound bus from Tiruchirappalli reportedly changed direction after one of its tyres burst, causing the driver to lose control. The bus climbed onto the road median, crossed into the opposite lane, and hit a sports utility vehicle and a car travelling towards Tiruchirappalli.

Seven of those killed were occupants of the two private vehicles, while the remaining victims were yet to be formally identified. Four others, including two children, sustained serious injuries and are being treated at government hospitals.

Editorial Perspective: Road Safety and Accountability

The Karnataka bus accident in Chitradurga once again highlights the devastating consequences of high-speed collisions on national highways. With multiple fatalities, serious injuries, and large-scale disruption to traffic, the incident underscores the importance of road discipline, vehicle safety, and timely enforcement. As investigations continue, authorities are expected to establish accountability and take corrective measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Life’s Fragility and True Spiritual Refuge

The tragic accident once again underlines that in this transient world, there is no certainty even for a single moment. Life can change without warning, and when death approaches, no human power—however influential—can delay it. Spiritual teachings hold that only the Supreme Power has authority over life and death. In this context, the message associated with Tatvdarshi Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj emphasises that human beings are children of the Supreme God and that this world is not a permanent abode.

Even forces traditionally regarded as supreme within creation are described as being beyond the power to avert death, while the Complete God Kabir Sahib alone is believed to possess such authority. Through the true devotion explained by Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj Ji, many have faced grave accidents and severe diseases yet survived. Such beliefs stress that in moments of ultimate helplessness, spiritual refuge becomes central, guiding individuals to reflect on the true purpose of human life and the pursuit of salvation through sincere devotion.

FAQs on Karnataka Bus Accident in Chitradurga