In a tragic accident on Thursday, at least nine people lost their lives after a container truck collided with a private sleeper bus on National Highway 48 in Karnataka. The impact caused the bus to catch fire, leading to a horrifying scene as flames engulfed the vehicle, sending dense smoke billowing into the sky. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has expressed deep condolences and has called for a thorough investigation into the incident.

Eyewitness Accounts Describe Chaos and Panic

Eyewitnesses who arrived at the scene immediately after the collision recalled the sheer panic as the fire spread rapidly through the bus. Survivors recounted desperate attempts to escape through broken windows and doors.

One survivor, Aditya, described the horrifying moments:
“We broke the glass and tried to escape. People were screaming. Some tried to save others, but the fire spread so quickly that it became impossible to help everyone in time.”

Another witness described seeing the truck lose control and crash into the bus, highlighting the danger posed by high-speed vehicles on the highway. According to this eyewitness, two buses were traveling from the opposite direction when the truck veered into the wrong lane:
“The truck driver lost control, probably because he was drowsy. Two buses were coming from the opposite direction. The truck hit one bus, which caught fire. The other bus, carrying school children, managed to swerve in time and avoided collision. If not, it too could have been engulfed in flames.”

The eyewitness also suggested that a leak in the tanker carried by the truck contributed to the fire, intensifying the tragedy.

Bus Driver’s Account

The bus driver, transporting school children from Bengaluru to Dandeli, described the terrifying sequence of events. He stated that the truck jumped the median divider and struck the bus directly, hitting the diesel tank, which led to the vehicle catching fire.

“As soon as the truck hit the diesel tank, I immediately slowed down and steered the bus to the left. On hearing people shouting, I tried to rescue as many passengers as possible,” the driver said.

Official Response and Ex-Gratia Announcement

Following the accident, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah took to social media to express his grief over the incident, describing it as a horrifying tragedy that disrupted the Christmas holiday journeys of many families. He announced an ex-gratia compensation of ₹5 lakh for the families of those who perished in the accident.

In his statement, the Chief Minister assured that authorities have been directed to provide immediate assistance to the victims and their families. He emphasized the need for a proper investigation to determine the precise cause of the collision and to take necessary action against any lapses that may have contributed to the tragedy.

“I have obtained information from the authorities about the incident and have instructed them to come to the aid of the victims. An investigation will be conducted into this matter, the cause of the accident will be found, and necessary action will be taken,” he added.

Safety Concerns Highlighted

The accident has reignited concerns over road safety, especially on highways with high-speed freight traffic. Eyewitnesses and authorities alike noted that fatigue and drowsiness among truck drivers, coupled with hazardous road conditions and traffic congestion during peak holiday seasons, can lead to catastrophic incidents.

Authorities are expected to scrutinize vehicle logs, driver credentials, and the condition of the truck involved, including the tanker, to determine whether negligence, overloading, or mechanical failure played a role in the tragedy.

Call for Action

The Karnataka Police and transport authorities have been instructed to review highway safety protocols, enforce stricter regulations for truck drivers, and implement measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. Public safety campaigns emphasizing careful driving, adherence to speed limits, and proper vehicle maintenance are expected to gain renewed focus in the state following this incident.

As families mourn the sudden loss of their loved ones, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed on busy highways, particularly during holiday seasons when traffic surges dramatically.

The investigation ordered by CM Siddaramaiah will be closely monitored, with the aim of not only identifying the cause of the accident but also strengthening road safety measures across Karnataka to prevent a recurrence of such tragedies.