Mysuru: A KSRTC Swift bus travelling from Bengaluru to Kozhikode was gutted by fire in the early hours of Friday at Nanjangud, near Mysuru. The incident occurred around 2 am, and no injuries were reported, officials said.

The bus had departed Bengaluru at about 11.30 pm on Thursday. Upon reaching Nanjangud, the driver and cleaner noticed smoke emanating from the vehicle and immediately alerted passengers, who were quickly evacuated.

There were 44 passengers on board, most of whom were asleep at the time. The bus was completely destroyed in the blaze. While all passengers escaped safely, some were able to retrieve their luggage. However, mobile phones, passports and other important documents belonging to a few passengers were reportedly damaged in the fire.

Authorities said the cause of the fire is being investigated. The incident once again highlights safety concerns surrounding overnight intercity bus services and the need for prompt emergency response to prevent casualties.