9 passengers died after a sleeper bus caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida, with a police complaint alleging that the driver and conductor ignored warnings about a burning smell before the blaze spread through the vehicle.
The incident occurred near the 33-kilometre point on the Noida-to-Agra carriageway at about 11:30 AM PM on Wednesday night. The bus had left Delhi's Kashmiri Gate for Rath and was carrying about 30-35 passengers.
What the complaint alleges
Sunil Kumar, a resident of Mohal Khushipura in Rath police station area of Hamirpur district, told police that he was travelling on Raj Kalpana Travels bus BR32PA8647. According to his complaint, passengers detected a smell like something burning from the driver's cabin and alerted both the driver and conductor.
The complaint alleges that the driver treated the smell as routine and did not stop the bus to check the problem. It also alleges that the driver and conductor were smoking beedis or cigarettes in the cabin. Passengers have further alleged that the 2 men were laughing and threatening them when they asked for the bus to be stopped.
A short time later, intense flames reportedly appeared near the driver's seat. Passengers raised an alarm and called for the bus to be stopped, but the fire quickly spread through the vehicle. Smoke filled the interior, leaving some people unable to get out.
9 passengers declared dead
After the bus stopped, Sunil Kumar and several other passengers managed to escape. Others remained trapped inside because of the fire and smoke. Several passengers suffered severe burn injuries and were taken to Kailash Hospital in Jewar.
Sunil Kumar's complaint states that doctors at the hospital declared 9 passengers dead. The incident therefore resulted in 9 deaths, according to the account submitted to police.
Police case filed
Sunil Kumar filed the complaint at Jewar police station. Police registered a case against the driver and conductor, alleging negligence in operating the bus and failure to stop after passengers reported the burning smell.
The allegations in the complaint concern the response to the warning, the decision not to stop for an inspection and the subsequent spread of fire inside the bus. The case now places the conduct of the driver and conductor under police investigation.
Conclusion
The verified account centres on a bus fire near the 33-kilometre point of the Yamuna Expressway that killed 9 passengers. Police have registered a case against the driver and conductor based on allegations that an earlier warning about a burning smell was ignored.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Where did the bus fire take place?
The fire occurred near the 33-kilometre point on the Noida-to-Agra route of the Yamuna Expressway.
Q. How many people died in the bus fire?
9 passengers were declared dead at Kailash Hospital in Jewar.
Q. When did the incident happen?
The bus reached the reported location at about 11:30 AM PM on Wednesday night.
Q. What warning did passengers give?
Passengers reportedly alerted the driver and conductor after noticing a smell like something burning from the driver's cabin.
Q. Which bus was involved?
The bus was operated by Raj Kalpana Travels and had registration number BR32PA8647.
Q. Where was the bus travelling from and to?
It was travelling from Delhi's Kashmiri Gate to Rath.
Q. What action has police taken?
Police registered a case against the driver and conductor on the basis of Sunil Kumar's complaint.
Q. Where were injured passengers taken?
Passengers with severe burn injuries were taken to Kailash Hospital in Jewar.
