Passenger Bus Gutted in Midnight Fire on Samruddhi Expressway
A private passenger bus travelling from Nagpur to Mumbai was completely destroyed after it caught fire in the early hours of the morning on the Samruddhi Expressway. The incident occurred near Shivni Pisa village, close to Sindkhed Raja in Buldhana district's Mehekar taluka.
All 36 passengers on board managed to jump out of the burning vehicle before it was engulfed in flames. Officials have credited the alertness and swift action of the driver and conductor for preventing a major tragedy.
Chaotic Evacuation and Emergency Response
According to preliminary reports, the crisis began when smoke was first seen billowing from the rear of the speeding bus. The fire intensified rapidly, causing panic among the passengers as they rushed to evacuate.
A few passengers sustained minor injuries, primarily due to smoke inhalation and the chaos during the emergency exit. They were promptly taken to a nearby hospital for first aid and medical attention.
Upon receiving the alert, a multi-agency response was launched. Police teams, highway patrol officers, disaster management personnel, and the fire brigade rushed to the spot. Firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control, but the bus was already reduced to ashes. The incident led to traffic disruption on the expressway for some time.
Cause Unknown, Safety Concerns Raised
The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. Initial speculation points towards a possible short circuit or a technical malfunction within the bus that may have triggered the blaze.
This frightening event has brought back painful memories of a similar and tragic luxury bus fire on the same Samruddhi Expressway in July 2023, which claimed 26 lives. The repeat incident has once again raised serious questions about vehicle safety standards and emergency preparedness on the high-speed corridor.
Surviving passengers were unanimous in praising the driver and conductor for their presence of mind. They stated that the crew's quick decision-making and calm instructions were instrumental in saving dozens of lives and averting another catastrophe on the busy expressway.
