#JustIn: 7 Dead, 22 Hurt As Bus Erupts In Flames After Collision With Truck

Seven people were killed and 22 others injured after a sleeper bus travelling from Rishikesh in Uttarakhand to Indore in Madhya Pradesh collided with a trailer and caught fire on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near Dausa, Rajasthan, in the early hours of Wednesday. The accident occurred at around 2:30 am when the bus was reportedly travelling at high speed. According to officials, the impact of the collision caused both the bus and the trailer to burst into flames, trapping several passengers inside and triggering a major rescue operation.

Authorities said five of the victims died from severe burn injuries, while two others succumbed to head injuries sustained during the crash. Eyewitnesses said many of the passengers were asleep when the collision occurred, leaving them with little opportunity to escape before the fire spread through the vehicle. Passengers occupying the upper berths were reportedly thrown to the ground by the force of the impact. Videos from the scene showed the bus and the trailer engulfed in massive flames as survivors screamed for help and bystanders attempted to assist those trapped inside before emergency responders arrived.

Firefighters, police personnel and rescue teams were deployed to the accident site to bring the blaze under control and evacuate passengers from the wreckage. Officials said the injured, many of whom were women and children, were rushed to the Dausa District Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment. Medical teams have been directed to provide immediate care to the victims, while authorities continue to monitor the condition of those who sustained serious injuries. The rescue operation continued for several hours as emergency personnel searched the burnt-out vehicle to ensure no passengers remained trapped.

Also Read: Three Dead, Two Critical In Karnataka Road Accident After Truck Collides With Car

The cause of the accident has not yet been officially established, but investigators are examining multiple possibilities. Police suspect the bus driver may have dozed off while driving, leading to the collision with the trailer. Excessive speed is also being considered as a contributing factor. Officials are expected to inspect the damaged vehicles, collect forensic evidence and record statements from survivors and witnesses as part of the investigation. The findings will help determine the exact sequence of events that led to one of the deadliest road accidents on the expressway in recent months.

Local residents, however, alleged that rescue and firefighting teams reached the accident site later than expected, claiming that passengers trapped inside the burning bus had to wait nearly an hour before they could be rescued. According to the locals, the delay may have contributed to the high death toll, although authorities have not confirmed the allegation. Residents also claimed that the bus's storage compartment contained cigarette packets, which they believe accelerated the spread of the fire after the collision. Officials have not verified these claims and said they will form part of the ongoing investigation.

The local administration has launched a detailed probe into the incident to determine the cause of the crash and establish whether any safety violations were involved. Authorities are also working to identify all the injured and assist the families of those who lost their lives. The tragedy has once again drawn attention to concerns over road safety, driver fatigue and emergency response on India's highways, with investigators expected to submit a report after completing their examination of the accident scene and the vehicles involved.

Also Read: Army Soldier Killed In Road Accident In Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng