Karnataka Bus Accident: More than 11 people have been feared dead near Hiriyur in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district early morning on Thursday. This was after a container truck hit a luxury sleeper bus on National Highway 48.
The bus with 32 passengers was on its way to Gokarna, a popular pilgrimage destination for Hindu with sacred sites such as Mahabaleshwar Temple, was engulfed in flames under the impact of the collision.
East Zone Inspector General of Police Ravikanthe Gowda said most of the deceased were burnt alive inside the vehicle.
The bus cleaner and driver managed to get out while the truck driver and its cleaner are among the dead. The bus driver and cleaner are presently undergoing treatment at a nearby hospital.
What Caused The Karnataka Bus Accident?
According to reports, the truck driver jumped a road divider before losing the control of his vehicle and colliding with the oncoming bus.
Reaction Of Government
Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy expressed shock reacting to the Chitradurga bus and lorry accident. Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi expressed shock and sadness at the bus accident while Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased. Andhra Pradesh Ministers also expressed deep shock and sorrow. A.P. Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the mishap.
President Droupadi Murmu extended her condolences to the families of those killed in the bus accident. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also expressed his condolences over the ‘heartbreaking’ bus-truck accident. The CM has called for a thorough investigation into the accident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of live and announced an ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the deceased and Rs. 50,000 to the injured.
