The Aryavarth Express
New Delhi:
President Droupadi Murmu has expressed profound sorrow over the tragic bus fire incident in Chitradurga district of Karnataka, which claimed several lives. The President conveyed her condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured.
In a post shared on X through the official handle @rashtrapatibhvn, President Murmu said, “Deeply pained by the tragic bus fire incident in Chitradurga, Karnataka, which has led to the loss of lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
The incident occurred near Gorlathu village on National Highway 48 when a Seabird private bus collided with a fuel tanker. According to officials, the tanker, travelling in the opposite direction, jumped the road divider and rammed into the bus, triggering a massive fire.
Inspector General of Police Dr BR Ravikante Gowda confirmed that the bus was on its way to Gokarna when the collision took place. “As per preliminary investigation, eight passengers lost their lives, and the tanker driver also died, taking the death toll to nine. Several others sustained injuries, and one severely injured person with around 20 per cent burns has been referred to Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru,” he said.
Dr Gowda added that there were 32 people on board the bus, including the driver and conductor. He also noted that a school bus travelling parallel to the Seabird bus from T Dasarahalli to Dandeli collided with the already burnt vehicle. “Fortunately, all 48 students on the school bus are safe. The school bus driver, who witnessed the incident, is being examined, and his statement is being recorded,” he said.
The fuel tanker was reportedly travelling from Hiriyur to Bengaluru at the time of the accident. The incident falls under the jurisdiction of the Hiriyur Rural Police Station.
Rescue operations were immediately launched, and authorities have initiated a detailed inquiry to ascertain the exact cause of the accident.
