A tragic accident on National Highway 48 in Karnataka's Chitradurga district claimed at least nine lives when a sleeper bus caught fire after colliding with a lorry. The bus was traveling from Bengaluru, and several passengers were injured. Rescue operations are underway.
A horrific road accident occurred near Gorlathu village in Hiriyur taluk, Chitradurga district, Karnataka, on National Highway 48. A private sleeper bus traveling from Bengaluru toward Shivamogga or Gokarna collided head-on with a container lorry. According to Hindustan Times, the lorry, heading from Hiriyur to Bengaluru, crossed the central divider and rammed into the oncoming bus.
The bus caught fire immediately after the impact, charring at least nine people to death. The Indian Express reported at least 10 fatalities, while other sources confirmed nine. Twenty-one passengers were injured and rushed to hospitals in Hiriyur and Chitradurga. The Indian Express noted that nine passengers escaped unhurt.
PTI tweeted: 'Over 10 people are feared dead in a lorry-bus collision... The bus was travelling from Bengaluru to Shivamogga.' ANI shared visuals from the scene, showing police and emergency teams conducting recovery operations and clearing the charred bus from the road.
The Chitradurga district administration has launched rescue efforts. Investigations into the exact cause are ongoing, with the lorry crossing the divider cited as a primary factor. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about road safety on busy highways.
