9 dead after moving bus catches fire on Yamuna Expressway near Noida airport

NOIDA: Nine passengers were killed after a private bus travelling from Delhi to Mahoba caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway near Jewar late Wednesday night.Several other passengers sustained burn injuries and were rushed to Kailash Hospital in Jewar, officials said.The incident occurred around 11.30pm near kilometre 33 of the Yamuna Expressway, when the bus, operated by Raj Kalpana Travels, was travelling from Delhi towards Agra. The complainant, Sunil Kumar, a resident of Hamirpur, told police that around 30-35 passengers were travelling in the bus.According to the complaint, passengers began noticing a burning smell coming from the driver's cabin. They allegedly informed the driver and conductor about it, but the two did not stop the bus or inspect the suspected source of the smell. The complaint further alleged that the driver and conductor continued smoking inside the cabin and dismissed the passengers' concerns, saying that such a smell was common in the bus.A short while later, flames suddenly erupted near the driver's seat and rapidly spread through the vehicle. Passengers raised an alarm and repeatedly asked the driver to stop the bus, but the driver allegedly failed to act immediately.As the fire intensified, smoke filled the passenger compartment, leaving several people trapped inside. Sunil and some other passengers managed to escape by jumping out of the bus after it stopped. Several others, however, were unable to get out because of the flames and thick smoke.The injured passengers were taken to Kailash Hospital in Jewar for treatment. On reaching the hospital, the complainant was informed that doctors had declared nine people dead.The complaint also stated that passengers' bags, mobile phones and other belongings were destroyed in the fire. Luggage kept in the bus's luggage compartment and on its roof was also burnt.Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the PM National Relief Fund for the next of kin of the nine deceased and Rs 50,000 for each injured person.Expressing grief over the incident, Modi said he was "distressed" by the loss of lives and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.President Droupadi Murmu also expressed grief over the deaths and extended condolences to the families of the victims. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath had earlier announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 each for the injured.Police have registered a case based on the complaint and initiated an investigation. The identities of the deceased and the exact cause of the fire are yet to be officially ascertained. Police are also expected to examine the bus, statements of survivors and other evidence to determine how the fire started and whether safety precautions were ignored.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Noida | Silver Rate in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida | Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Petrol Price in Noida | Diesel Price in Noida | CNG Price in Noida | LPG Price in NoidaStay updated with the latest Noida news. Download the TOI App.