At least 25 people were killed when a “luxury” coach caught fire after a collision with a motorcycle in southern India. Dozens of passengers were trapped on the bus
At least 25 people were “burned alive” when a horrific fire engulfed a coach after a motorcycle crashed into it. Scores of passengers were trapped on the so-called “luxury” bus when the blaze broke out on Friday morning, rapidly consuming the vehicle in southern India.
The dreadful incident occurred as the bus was speeding along a motorway near the Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh state. A handful of quick-thinking passengers managed to break windows and escape the inferno, suffering only minor injuries.
However, others were not so fortunate, unable to flee in time and perishing in the flames before help could arrive, according to senior police officer Vikrant Patil.
The ill-fated coach was en route between the cities of Hyderabad and Bengaluru when a motorbike collided with it from behind, becoming lodged and dragged along for some distance, reports the Mirror.
The friction generated by the dragging motorcycle ignited the coach’s fuel tank, resulting in an intense fire that swiftly engulfed the bus, police disclosed.
Patil recounted: “As the smoke started spreading, the driver stopped the bus and tried to put the fire out by using a fire extinguisher, but the fire was so intense he couldn’t control it.”
Many passengers were asleep at the time of the collision. The death toll stands at 25, including the motorcyclist, while 15 survivors rescued from the fiery wreckage were hospitalised.
A forensics team collaborated with police at the grim scene. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of those tragically killed on Friday morning.
This follows a horrific accident in Uganda on Wednesday, where 63 people lost their lives after two buses collided on a motorway. The dreadful crash triggered a massive pile-up on the major highway.
The bus drivers, travelling in opposite directions, were attempting to overtake other vehicles when they crashed into each other. It’s reported that one of the buses swerved across the road in a desperate bid to avoid a collision, only to smash into another coach.
At the time of the fatal collision, which occurred just after midnight, both vehicles were filled with passengers. Other cars also crashed while trying to dodge the ensuing coach pile-up.
By the time rescue teams reached the scene in Kitaleba village, dozens of injured travellers were scattered by the roadside. Distressing images revealed one car overturned in the pile-up and debris strewn across the road.
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