Nine passengers were killed and several others injured after a private sleeper bus caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway near the Jewar area of Greater Noida, close to the Noida International Airport region.
The bus was reportedly carrying between 30 and 40 passengers and was travelling from Delhi towards Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh. Other reports put the passenger count at around 35. The incident happened late Wednesday night, with police sources placing the time at approximately 11 pm.
The bus was reportedly travelling through the Jewar police station area when the fire broke out. Dayanatpur village and the 33-kilometre milestone have been identified in reports as the location of the incident.
Most of the passengers were asleep when the blaze began. The fire spread quickly, producing thick smoke inside the bus and making it difficult for passengers to see or reach the exits.
Several passengers escaped through windows. One survivor described waking up after another passenger alerted people about the fire. According to an account reported by Daijiworld, the passenger said she left without taking her belongings after waking amid the confusion.
Emergency services were called immediately. Firefighters arrived with fire tenders and began extinguishing the blaze. Police and rescue personnel assisted passengers and secured the area.
The fire was eventually brought under control, but nine people lost their lives. Several others were injured and taken to hospital. Reports said 20 passengers were rescued safely.
The exact cause of the fire remains uncertain. Police have said that a preliminary investigation points towards the possibility of a short circuit in the air-conditioning system. This remains an initial finding rather than a final determination.
Police have arrested the driver and conductor and registered a case under provisions related to culpable homicide. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the incident, including how the fire was detected and the actions taken by the crew.
The FIR reportedly includes allegations that passengers noticed smoke and a burning smell and informed the driver and helper. According to the PTI report cited by Telegraph India, there are allegations that the warnings were ignored for some time. Investigators will determine the facts surrounding those claims.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the deaths and directed officials to ensure that injured passengers receive proper medical treatment. The government has also indicated that assistance should be provided to affected families.
The accident is likely to prompt further scrutiny of safety arrangements on private sleeper buses. Such vehicles have sleeping berths and enclosed spaces, meaning smoke can spread rapidly and passengers may not immediately understand the seriousness of a fire.
Investigators are expected to examine the bus’s electrical system, air-conditioning equipment, emergency exits and other safety features. Statements from survivors and crew members will also be important in reconstructing the incident.
As the investigation continues, authorities are working to establish the complete sequence of events and determine the factors responsible for the loss of nine lives.
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