9 killed as bus catches fire in Greater Noida; driver said 'won't stop, die'

The bus was travelling from Delhi to Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh when the incident happened. Many passengers were asleep when the fire broke out.

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Many of those who escaped had to jump through the bus’s windows to save their lives.

Taking cognizance of the incident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the families of the deceased.

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“The chief minister directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured. The chief minister spoke to the families of the deceased and directed that all possible assistance be provided. The chief minister wished for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the Chief Minister’s Office said in a statement.

'If you want to die, then die; we won't stop the bus'

The driver and conductor of the bus ignored a burning smell and refused to stop the vehicle despite repeated warnings from passengers, according to an FIR lodged based on a passenger's complaint.

Passengers raised an alarm and asked the driver to stop the bus, but the driver and conductor allegedly refused, telling them, "If you want to die, then die; we won't stop the bus," according to the FIR.

Nine passengers were killed after a bus travelling from Delhi to Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh caught fire late Wednesday night on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida.

The FIR was registered at the Jewar police station on the complaint of Suneel Kumar, a resident of Hamirpur district, who said he boarded the Raj Kalpana Travels bus from Kashmere Gate in Delhi around 9 pm on Wednesday. There were around 30-35 passengers on board, he said.

According to the complaint, the bus reached the 33-km mark on the Yamuna Expressway around 11.30 pm when passengers noticed a burning smell emanating from the driver's cabin.

"Despite being alerted, the driver dismissed the smell as something common in the bus and did not stop to inspect the vehicle," he claimed.

"The driver and conductor continued smoking bidis and cigarettes in the cabin and that flames suddenly erupted near the driver's seat shortly afterwards," he further claimed.

Nine challans against bus

Speaking to ANI, DCP Traffic (Central Range) K Ramesh said the bus had nine challans for overspeeding and improper parking, and it was an older vehicle.

“This bus has nine challans in Delhi, mostly for overspeeding and improper parking. We regularly hold meetings with transport operators and bus owners, repeatedly advising them regarding permits and regulatory violations. We also take strict action against those who park illegally and engage in overloading," DCP Ramesh said.

“We periodically check for permit violations and inspect mandatory onboard safety equipment, including fire extinguishers. These protocols are checked on a continuous basis. This particular vehicle holds a valid permit up to October 26. However, since it is an older vehicle, general precautions will be taken and we will maintain strict surveillance on it going forward,” he added.

(With agency inputs)