A motorcyclist was burnt alive after his two-wheeler collided head-on with a passenger bus in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi district late Wednesday, police reported Thursday. The tragic accident, which ignited a blaze engulfing both vehicles, occurred around 10:20 p.m. on the bustling Guwahati-Shillong National Highway in the Nongpoh area, a stretch notorious for its winding terrain and high traffic volume.

According to a senior police officer, the motorcycle veered into the oncoming lane and rammed into the night service bus carrying over 50 passengers. The impact sparked an immediate fire, gutting the two-wheeler and spreading to the bus's undercarriage. Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene as flames erupted, forcing passengers to scramble to safety amid thick smoke. Nongpoh's fire and emergency services team arrived promptly, battling the inferno for over 30 minutes before fully extinguishing it.

The unidentified rider perished at the scene; his body was severely charred and sent to Nongpoh Civil Hospital for post-mortem examination. Authorities are working to establish his identity through vehicle registration and local enquiries, pending forensic results. Miraculously, none of the bus passengers sustained injuries, though many were left in shock and received on-site counselling from responders. The bus driver, who escaped unharmed, is cooperating with investigators probing possible factors like speeding or mechanical failure.

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This incident underscores Meghalaya's escalating road safety crisis, with the state recording 529 fatalities over the past five years, including a record 129 in 2024 largely due to reckless driving. The hilly Northeast region's narrow, poorly lit highways exacerbate risks, prompting the government to set a 2025 target for a 10% reduction in accidents through stricter enforcement and awareness campaigns. As investigations continue, officials have urged commuters to adhere to lane discipline and avoid night travel on vulnerable routes.

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