Greater Noida: 9 Killed After Sleeper Tourist Bus Catches Fire on Yamuna Expressway

Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh: A late-night journey turned into a devastating tragedy on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida after a sleeper tourist bus suddenly caught fire, leaving at least nine people dead and several others injured. The incident took place late Wednesday night while the bus was reportedly travelling towards Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh.

Around 35 passengers were believed to be travelling on the bus when the fire suddenly broke out. The situation became particularly dangerous because the incident occurred at night, when many passengers were asleep inside the sleeper bus. The sudden flames and rapidly spreading smoke left passengers with very little time to understand what was happening or find a safe way out.

Fire Breaks Out on Yamuna Expressway

According to preliminary information from police officials, the fire may have started after a blast in the bus’s air-conditioning system. The incident reportedly caused the engine’s lubricating oil to catch fire, after which the flames spread rapidly through the vehicle.

However, authorities have not yet confirmed the exact cause of the fire. Initial reports have also suggested that a short circuit could have triggered the blaze. A detailed investigation is underway to establish what exactly caused the fire and how it spread so quickly.

Most Passengers Were Asleep

The timing of the incident made the situation even more difficult. Many passengers were reportedly asleep when the fire started.

As smoke began filling the bus, passengers suddenly woke up and realised they were facing a serious emergency. With flames spreading quickly, people began rushing towards the exits in an attempt to save themselves.

The situation soon became chaotic as several passengers struggled to move through the bus. Thick smoke reportedly reduced visibility, making it difficult for people to see the exits or understand what was happening around them.

Survivors Describe Terrifying Escape

A survivor recalled that she was asleep when someone suddenly banged on the bus door. When she woke up, she saw that a large crowd had already gathered and the situation had become chaotic.

She said she did not have time to collect her belongings or even put on her shoes. She managed to grab only her phone before trying to escape from the burning bus.

According to her account, passengers were pushing and shoving as they desperately tried to get outside. She was pushed around in the confusion before another person eventually helped pull her out.

The survivor said the bus was filled with smoke and that it was extremely difficult to see. The atmosphere inside had become chaotic as passengers struggled to find a way out.

Some Passengers Escaped Through Windows

As the fire intensified, some passengers reportedly attempted to escape through the bus windows.

Another survivor described how thick smoke had made it almost impossible to see inside the vehicle. People were reportedly struggling to breathe while trying to make their way out.

The passenger said that only a few people appeared to have managed to escape quickly, while others were still trapped inside as the fire continued to spread.

The accounts from survivors underline how rapidly the situation changed from a normal overnight journey into a desperate struggle for survival.

Emergency Teams Reach the Spot

After receiving information about the incident, emergency services rushed to the location on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida.

Fire brigade personnel and teams from the Jewar police station reached the spot and began rescue and relief operations. The burning bus was seen engulfed in intense flames on the side of the expressway.

Emergency personnel worked to control the fire and assist passengers affected by the incident. Police teams were also involved in managing the situation and carrying out the necessary response at the scene.

Nine People Reportedly Dead

At least nine people, including a woman, were reported to have died in the tragic incident, while several others were injured.

The incident has left several families facing a devastating loss. The fact that the passengers were travelling at night and many were asleep when the fire broke out made the emergency particularly difficult to handle.

Authorities are continuing to gather information about the victims and injured passengers while investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Yogi Adityanath Announces Compensation

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the families of those who died in the Greater Noida bus fire.

He directed officials to ensure that injured passengers receive proper medical treatment and that affected families receive all possible assistance from the administration.

The state government announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the family of each person who died in the incident. It also announced Rs 50,000 for each injured person.

Officials were directed to provide necessary support to those affected by the tragedy.

Exact Cause of Fire Yet to Be Confirmed

While the preliminary investigation has pointed towards a possible blast involving the bus’s air-conditioning system, authorities have not yet established the final cause of the fire.

Reports have also suggested the possibility of a short circuit. However, this remains part of the investigation and has not been confirmed as the definitive cause.

Authorities are expected to examine the bus and other available evidence to determine how the fire began and why it spread so quickly.

A Routine Journey Turns Into a Tragedy

For the passengers, what began as an ordinary overnight journey quickly became a terrifying fight for survival.

People who had been sleeping inside the sleeper bus were suddenly forced to wake up and escape as smoke and flames spread through the vehicle. Some passengers managed to get out through the doors, while others reportedly used windows to escape.

The survivor accounts offer a glimpse into the panic and confusion inside the bus, where people were struggling to breathe and find a way out.

The Greater Noida bus fire has left nine people dead and several others injured, while rescue and relief efforts continue. Authorities are investigating the incident to establish the precise cause of the fire and understand the sequence of events that led to the tragedy on the Yamuna Expressway.

News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.