Nine Die in Midnight Fire Aboard Private Sleeper Bus in Noida Uttar Pradesh
A massive fire broke out in a private AC sleeper bus on the Yamuna Expressway in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, late Wednesday night, claiming the lives of nine passengers and leaving several others injured. The bus, carrying 35 passengers, was en route from Noida to Mahoba when the fire erupted, sparking panic among those on board.
According to officials, the fire spread rapidly throughout the bus, filling the interior with thick smoke. While many passengers managed to escape by breaking windows and jumping out, others remained trapped inside as the flames intensified.
Emergency services, including five fire tenders, arrived at the scene immediately after being alerted. Firefighters brought the blaze under control within 45 minutes, but by then, the bus had been completely gutted.
Officials have not yet determined the cause of the fire, and the process of identifying the deceased is underway. The police have launched an investigation to ascertain the cause of the incident.
Toll plaza staff were the first to spot flames rising from the moving bus and immediately alerted the police and emergency response teams. Due to the firefighting operations, traffic on the Yamuna Expressway near the Jewar Toll Plaza and Faleda Cut was temporarily halted for about 20 minutes before movement returned to normal.
Recounting the harrowing moments, a survivor described how passengers were pushing each other in a desperate attempt to escape, while breathing had become extremely difficult due to the thick smoke.
Another passenger mentioned that many could not get out because the bus filled with smoke so rapidly. A third passenger recalled being woken up by fellow travelers after the fire started and said that exiting the bus was incredibly difficult amidst the heavy smoke and chaos.
Survivors also reported that the bus was overcrowded, which further hampered efforts to escape. This tragic incident has once again raised concerns regarding passenger safety standards and emergency preparedness on long-distance private buses.