Bengaluru: The fatal accident occurred in the early hours of Thursday at Golarthi in Hiriyur taluk when a container truck jumped the road divider and collided head-on with a luxury sleeper bus travelling from Bengaluru to Gokarna. The impact caused the bus’s diesel tank to rupture, triggering a massive fire that engulfed both vehicles.

Superintendent of Police Ranjith Kumar Bandaru confirmed that six people were killed in the incident, including a child. Five of the deceased were passengers on the bus, while the sixth was the truck driver. Most victims were burnt alive inside the bus, making identification difficult. Police said DNA tests would be conducted to identify the bodies.

Initial estimates had suggested a higher death toll, but police later clarified the figure following verification. According to East Zone Inspector General of Police Ravikanthe Gowda, three passengers managed to save themselves by jumping out of the bus, while the bus driver and cleaner also escaped with injuries.

Twelve people sustained injuries in the accident. Nine were shifted to Sira and three to Tumakuru, while one critically injured burn victim was referred to Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru. Police said all injured persons except one were out of danger.

Another bus carrying 42 schoolchildren, which was travelling behind the ill-fated vehicle, narrowly escaped a major tragedy. The school bus struck the damaged bus from behind, veered off the road, but no injuries were reported. The children later continued their journey in another vehicle, and the school bus driver is being treated as a key eyewitness.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed condolences over the loss of lives. Modi announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. Siddaramaiah announced ₹5 lakh compensation for each deceased person’s family and ₹50,000 for the injured, and said a thorough probe would be conducted into the accident.

Firefighters faced difficulty controlling the blaze due to the intensity of the fire. The bus and truck were completely mangled, reduced to charred metal frames, with burnt debris, personal belongings and vehicle parts scattered across the highway.
(With PTI inputs)