Bengaluru Sleeper Bus Catches Fire After Accident; 30 Passengers Have Narrow Escape
In a terrifying incident that has reignited concerns over the safety of sleeper buses, approximately thirty passengers had a miraculous escape after a private semi-sleeper bus caught fire following an accident on National Highway-48. The harrowing event unfolded in the early hours of Friday on the Bengaluru-Tumakuru stretch.
Sequence of Events: From Accident to Inferno
According to eyewitness accounts from passengers, the driver of the bus, operated by Sanjana Travels, lost control while attempting to overtake a truck. The vehicle mounted the footpath and collided with an electric pole before coming to an abrupt halt and tilting dangerously to one side. Passengers reported that the bus had departed late from Bengaluru and was speeding to compensate for the delay.
The situation escalated rapidly when, moments after all passengers managed to evacuate—a process that took nearly fifteen minutes—the bus erupted into flames. The fire spread with alarming speed, completely engulfing the vehicle. Fire and Emergency Services personnel were promptly dispatched to the scene and worked to extinguish the blaze.
Investigation Points to Electrical Spark as Likely Cause
Preliminary investigations by the police indicate that the accident occurred between 1:30 AM and 1:45 AM near Hanumanthapura Gate in Nelamangala taluk, Bengaluru Rural district. The bus was en route from Bengaluru to Kalaburagi at the time.
A senior officer from the Fire and Emergency Services suggested that a fallen electric wire, dislodged when the bus rammed the pole, might have caused a spark that ignited the fire. "The rapid spread of the flames suggests an electrical trigger," the officer noted.
However, in a contrasting statement, a BESCOM engineer from Bengaluru Rural district denied any responsibility, clarifying, "There was no live current at the time of the accident, and our transmission line was not responsible for the fire."
Narrow Avoidance of a Greater Catastrophe
Authorities highlighted that a brief power disruption in the area, due to ongoing highway widening work, may have averted an even more severe disaster. "Had the power supply been active, the consequences could have been far worse," a police officer pointed out, underscoring the potential for electrocution or a larger explosion.
In the chaos following the accident, the driver, identified as Manohar, and the cleaner fled the scene, leaving panicked passengers to fend for themselves. Despite the escape, many passengers suffered minor bruises during the evacuation.
Passengers Left Distraught Over Lost Belongings
While physically unharmed, several passengers were emotionally distraught as all their belongings stored in the luggage compartment were reduced to ashes in the intense fire. One passenger lamented the loss of jewellery, clothes, and cash, demanding compensation from the travel operator. "We escaped with our lives, but everything we owned is gone," she said.
The Thyamagondlu police have registered a case and are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. This accident adds to a growing list of safety concerns surrounding sleeper buses, prompting calls for stricter regulations and enforcement.
