A devastating road accident in Karnataka has claimed more than twenty lives after a sleeper coach bus collided with a truck and erupted into flames in the early hours of Thursday. The tragedy, one of the deadliest on the state's highways in recent memory, occurred on National Highway 48 near Chitradurga.
A Blaze That Trapped Passengers
The ill-fated bus was traveling from Bengaluru to Gokarna when the disaster struck around 3 AM. According to preliminary reports, a truck is said to have crossed the highway median, leading to a catastrophic collision. The impact was so severe that the sleeper coach caught fire almost instantly, transforming into a blazing inferno within minutes.
The bus was carrying 29 passengers, including men and women from towns like Gokarna, Kumta, and Shivamogga. Eyewitness accounts describe a rapidly spreading fire that left those inside with little to no chance of escape. The intensity of the blaze severely hampered rescue efforts through the night.
Rescue Operations and National Mourning
Emergency services worked tirelessly in challenging conditions to recover bodies and assist the injured. Survivors with burn injuries and other trauma were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical care. The grim recovery operation continued for hours as authorities dealt with the aftermath of the horrific scene.
The nation's leadership expressed profound grief over the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered his heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. PM Modi also announced financial assistance from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of the deceased and for those injured in the accident.
Renewed Questions on Road Safety
This heartbreaking event has once again ignited a fierce debate about critical issues plaguing India's road infrastructure and regulations. Serious questions are being raised about:
- Highway safety standards and median design.
- The risks associated with long-distance night travel, especially on busy freight corridors.
- The urgent need for stricter enforcement of traffic rules for commercial vehicles.
- Safety protocols and emergency exits in sleeper coaches.
The accident on NH-48 serves as a grim reminder of the human cost of negligence and infrastructure gaps. As families mourn an irreplaceable loss, the demand for concrete action to prevent such tragedies in the future grows louder.
