Tragic Blaze Engulfs Sleeper Bus: Passengers' Narrow Escapes

A tragic fire on a private sleeper bus en route from Hyderabad to Bengaluru killed 20 passengers instantly. The blaze was triggered by an accident with a motorbike, leaving victims charred and few surviving. Survivors recounted harrowing escapes, breaking windows to flee the inferno.

A devastating fire on a private bus traveling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru claimed 20 lives early Friday morning. The fire broke out around 3 AM following a collision with a motorbike, catching many passengers unaware as they slept. The bus was reduced to a metal skeleton, with victims being burnt beyond recognition.

Among the passengers were IT professionals, some of whom have recounted the tense moments of the tragedy. Survivor S Harika, who works in Chennai, managed to escape through a broken door, sustaining minor injuries. Another survivor, Surya, bound for a job interview, suffered fractured legs after jumping from the bus.

According to local authorities, 21 out of 41 onboard the bus were accounted for, with survivors stable. Many passengers were unable to escape due to the nighttime incident. Malfunctioning bus doors exacerbated the tragedy, preventing quick exits and contributing to the high death toll.

(With inputs from agencies.)