Sleeper Bus Catches Fire After Lorry Jumps Divider in Collision
Chitradurga: A horrific pre-dawn road accident near Hiriyur in Chitradurga district claimed at least 10 lives and left over 20 passengers with severe burn injuries after a private sleeper coach bus burst into flames following a collision with a container lorry on Thursday.
Police said the Bengaluru–Gokarna bus, operated by private firm Sea Bird, was carrying 32 passengers when the container truck jumped the median and slammed head-on into the coach around 2 am. The impact triggered a massive blaze that spread within minutes, trapping several passengers inside.
Emergency teams rushed to the spot as locals attempted to douse the flames. Twenty-one injured passengers were shifted to nearby hospitals, where doctors warned that the death toll could rise due to the gravity of burns.
Lorry driver may have dozed off
Preliminary findings suggest the container driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel, police said. The lorry driver died on the spot. “The truck crossed the divider and hit the bus. We are still accounting for passengers,” the Chitradurga Police said, adding that a detailed probe is underway.
A survivor told television channels that the bus departed Bengaluru around 11:30 pm. “After the crash, I fell, broke a window and escaped. People were screaming, but the fire spread too fast,” the survivor said.
Leaders announce relief, order probe
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced ₹2 lakh ex gratia from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in the Chitradurga district of Karnataka. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May those injured recover at the earliest.
An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each…
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 25, 2025
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced ₹5 lakh compensation for each bereaved family and ₹50,000 for the injured, directing officials to ensure immediate medical assistance and ordering a thorough investigation.
ಚಿತ್ರದುರ್ಗದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಭವಿಸಿದ ಭೀಕರ ಅಪಘಾತದಲ್ಲಿ ಮೃತಪಟ್ಟವರ ಕುಟುಂಬಗಳಿಗೆ ತಲಾ ರೂ.5 ಲಕ್ಷ ಹಾಗೂ ಗಾಯಗೊಂಡವರಿಗೆ ತಲಾ ರೂ.50,000 ಪರಿಹಾರ ನೀಡಲಾಗುವುದು.
ಘಟನೆಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳಿಂದ ಮಾಹಿತಿ ಪಡೆದುಕೊಂಡು, ಸಂತ್ರಸ್ತರ ನೆರವಿಗೆ ನಿಲ್ಲುವಂತೆ ಸೂಚಿಸಿದ್ದೇನೆ. ಈ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ತನಿಖೆ ನಡೆಸಿ, ಅಪಘಾತಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾರಣ ಪತ್ತೆ ಮಾಡಿ ಅಗತ್ಯ ಕ್ರಮ…
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) December 25, 2025
Authorities said further details would emerge as rescue operations conclude and the inquiry progresses.
