A Greater Noida bus fire on the Yamuna Expressway late Wednesday night, September 23, left nine passengers dead after a sleeper bus travelling towards Mahoba caught fire near Jewar. Several other passengers managed to escape, while some were taken to hospital with injuries.
The accident occurred on the 33 km marker of the Yamuna Expressway, while the bus was traveling from Kashmere Gate in New Delhi to Mahoba at about 11:30 PM. As per the police statement, there were around 30-35 passengers traveling in the bus.
 |
| Image Credit: The Times Of India |
How Did the Greater Noida Bus Fire Start?
According to the preliminary investigation by Greater Noida Police, the fire may have started after a spark or blast in the bus's air-conditioning system. Police said the incident caused the engine lubricating oil to catch fire, after which the flames spread rapidly through the bus.
According to reports, passengers were sleeping at the time of the fire. A few of them escaped through windows due to the spreading of the fire inside the bus. Passengers were shifted to Kailash Hospital, Jewar.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation at present, and the officials are looking into the details of the incident.
Driver and Conductor Arrested
The Greater Noida Bus Fire has also resulted in the arrest of the bus driver and the conductor. They have been arrested following the incident, and a case has been filed at the Jewar police station.
According to an FIR made on behalf of the passengers, some passengers had reportedly smelled smoke coming from the driver's cabin even before the fire started. As per their complaint, they had asked both the driver and the conductor to stop the bus in order to examine the situation, but neither of the two is said to have stopped.
Also, the police are trying to find out the identities of the nine people who perished in the fire. The dead bodies were taken for a post-mortem and identification process, which involved their family members.
Bus Had Previous Traffic Violations
As per another report published in India Today, the bus had collected 19 traffic challans valued at approximately ₹1.75 lakh as per the data available on a government website. Another interesting point in the report was that the bus had been facing various regulatory issues since January, one of which involved an underage driver.
This information is part of the continuing investigation of the vehicle and its driving record since the accident occurred.
PM Announces Financial Assistance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences following the Greater Noida Bus Fire and announced financial assistance for the victims' families.
According to the Prime Minister's Office, an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund will be provided to the next of kin of each deceased person. Injured passengers will receive ₹50,000.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also expressed condolences and directed officials to provide medical treatment to those injured and assistance to the affected families.
Investigation Continues
Issues related to passenger safety, proper maintenance of vehicles, and compliance with transport regulations have been brought to light because of the incident that took place at the Greater Noida Bus Fire. The police, along with other government agencies, continue to investigate the case.
As of September 24, nine passengers have been confirmed dead, while more than 20 passengers were reported to have been rescued. Further details about the victims and the investigation are expected as officials complete identification and examination of the vehicle.
Conclusion
The Greater Noida Bus Fire on the Yamuna Expressway has resulted in nine deaths and injuries to several passengers. The sleeper bus was travelling from Delhi towards Mahoba when it caught fire near Jewar late Wednesday night.
The driver and conductor have been taken into custody, while investigators are examining the suspected AC-related cause of the fire and other circumstances surrounding the accident. The prime minister has announced financial assistance for the families of those who died and for injured passengers.