Seven people have died and at least 22 others sustained injuries after a private passenger bus erupted in flames on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Rajasthan's Dausa district. The tragic incident, which occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, involved a bus carrying approximately 37 passengers from Haridwar to Indore.
Bus Falls into Gorge, Catches Fire
The accident took place around 2:30 AM near a rest area under the Kolwa police station limits. Preliminary reports suggest the bus collided with a trailer, subsequently lost control, and veered into a roadside gorge. A fire then broke out in the rear section of the vehicle, trapping many passengers.
Authorities have not yet officially confirmed the precise cause of either the collision or the subsequent blaze. The investigation is ongoing, with both vehicles having been seized for examination.
Passengers Trapped Amidst Flames
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, noting that the severe impact threw many passengers, including women and children, from their sleeping berths onto the floor. Most occupants were reportedly asleep when the crash occurred, adding to the severity of the situation. While some passengers managed to escape the burning vehicle on their own, others required rescue by emergency teams and local residents as the flames rapidly spread.
Extensive Rescue and Medical Response
Upon receiving news of the accident, police, fire services, and ambulance crews swiftly arrived at the scene. With critical assistance from nearby residents, rescue personnel worked to extract injured passengers from the bus. The injured were transported to the Dausa district hospital, with those in critical condition being referred to higher medical facilities for specialized treatment. Initially, six bodies were recovered and shifted to the district hospital, with recovery operations continuing.
Dausa Superintendent of Police Piyush Dixit was present at the site, overseeing the comprehensive rescue efforts. Later, several district and police officials, including Additional Superintendent of Police Yogendra Faujdar, visited the hospital to assess the treatment arrangements and ensure all injured received proper care.
Investigation Underway
Police have launched a full investigation to establish the exact sequence of events leading to the crash and the subsequent fire. Investigators are exploring whether a mechanical or electrical fault may have contributed to the blaze. Traffic movement on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway was temporarily disrupted as rescue teams cleared the site and managed recovery operations. Further details are expected as the inquiry progresses.