Bus Fire Near Odisha Border: 40 Passengers Including MLA Escape Unharmed
In a terrifying early morning incident, approximately 40 passengers, including Chitrakonda MLA Mangu Khilla, narrowly escaped a potentially deadly situation when the private bus they were traveling in caught fire. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday in Andhra Pradesh, close to the Odisha border, highlighting serious concerns about passenger safety on long-route night buses.
Details of the Terrifying Incident
The fire broke out around 3 am in a heavily forested area near Rambhadrapuram, approximately 40 kilometers from the Odisha border. The bus was en route from Bhubaneswar to Malkangiri when it reportedly developed a technical malfunction before being completely engulfed in flames. According to eyewitness accounts, the driver heard a loud sound from the rear of the vehicle and upon inspection discovered flames near the rear wheel, prompting immediate evacuation efforts.
Passenger Accounts and Evacuation
Recounting the harrowing experience, MLA Mangu Khilla described how most passengers were asleep when the driver suddenly raised an alarm after noticing the fire at the rear of the vehicle. "The bus had left Bhubaneswar around 7 pm on Friday," Khilla explained. "The driver acted swiftly and alerted all passengers, which allowed for a rapid evacuation."
Panic ensued as passengers rushed to exit the burning vehicle, with some forced to jump through windows to escape the rapidly spreading flames. Many passengers had to abandon their belongings in the chaos. Khilla himself assisted several fellow passengers in disembarking safely from the dangerous situation.
Miraculous Escape and Aftermath
Remarkably, despite the intensity of the fire that completely engulfed the bus within minutes, there were no major injuries or casualties reported among the passengers. Khilla attributed the incident to a possible rear tire burst or mechanical fault that led to the catastrophic fire.
The stranded passengers remained in the forested area for nearly 90 minutes before another private bus traveling from Bhubaneswar to Nabarangpur was stopped to assist them. Arrangements were subsequently made to transport all affected passengers to Jeypore in Koraput district for further assistance and medical evaluation.
Political Response and Safety Concerns
MLA Mangu Khilla, who was returning to his constituency in Malkangiri district after attending the ongoing Assembly session, expressed deep concern over the incident. He emphasized the urgent need for stricter monitoring of long-route buses operating during night hours. "I will raise this critical issue with the transport department to ensure regular fitness checks of night express buses operating on long routes," Khilla stated firmly, highlighting systemic safety gaps in private bus operations.
The incident has raised significant questions about vehicle maintenance standards, emergency preparedness, and regulatory oversight for private bus operators, particularly those covering long distances during nighttime hours when passenger vigilance is naturally lower.
