At least nine people were burnt to death and many others injured after a sleeper tourist bus caught fire in Greater Noida, India, late on Wednesday night.
Around 35 passengers were travelling from Noida to Mahoba when the fire broke out. Most of them were asleep at the time. A woman was among those killed in the blaze on the Yamuna Expressway in Uttar Pradesh, reports NDTV.
According to police, a preliminary investigation found that the fire may have originated from an explosion in the air-conditioning system, which ignited the engine’s lubricating oil and caused the blaze to spread rapidly.
A short circuit may also have triggered the fire, although the exact cause has yet to be determined.
The bus was engulfed in flames, forcing several passengers to jump out through the windows to escape. A surviving passenger said she was awakened by someone banging on the door and found thick smoke and chaos outside.
“I didn’t pick up any of my belongings; I didn’t even put on my shoes. I just grabbed my phone and stepped out,” she said, adding that visibility was zero and many people failed to escape amid the shoving crowd.
A fire brigade team and personnel from Jewar Police Station reached the scene after being alerted and began rescue and relief operations. Police and fire department teams remain at the spot.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the bereaved families and directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured and provide all possible assistance to the victims’ families.
He announced compensation of Rs2 lakh for the family of each deceased person and Rs50,000 for each injured passenger.
