Chitradurga (Karnataka): At least five people were killed on Thursday when a fast-moving truck rammed into a luxury sleeper bus, which then caught fire from the impact, a senior police officer said.

East Zone Inspector General of Police Ravikanthe Gowda initially reported nine fatalities based on preliminary inputs, but he and the district police chief later clarified that the confirmed death toll is five.

“Only five people have died,” Superintendent of Police Ranjith Kumar Bandaru told PTI. Gowda added that three unidentified people may have survived by jumping off the bus. Four passengers from the bus and the truck driver were killed, he confirmed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed condolences and announced ex-gratia payments for the families of the deceased. Siddaramaiah also assured that a detailed investigation will be conducted.

According to Gowda, the crash occurred when the container truck crossed the road divider and collided head-on with the bus.

The bus, carrying 32 people, including 30 passengers, was travelling from Bengaluru to Gokarna. After the collision, it was engulfed in flames at Golarthi in Hiriyur Taluk, and most of the victims were burned inside, he said. The bus driver and cleaner managed to escape. 

“As per the investigation so far, the container lorry directly hit the bus’s diesel tank, causing a fuel leak and fire,” Gowda said.

Police sources said three friends were among the survivors, and two other passengers escaped by jumping out.

“Of the 12 injured, nine have been shifted to Sira and three to Tumakuru. One critically burned patient has been taken to Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru,” Gowda added.

Except for the patient who moved to Bengaluru, the others are out of danger, the IGP said.

Another bus carrying 42 schoolchildren from T Dasarahalli to Dandeli, which was behind the crashed bus, narrowly avoided tragedy.

“The school bus hit the affected bus from behind, swerved across the road and veered off. Fortunately, not even minor injuries were reported,” Gowda said. The children later continued their trip in another vehicle. The school bus driver will serve as a key eyewitness.

Most passengers on the burnt bus had booked tickets online.

“We have their phone numbers and are trying to contact their families,” he said, adding that DNA testing will be done to identify bodies.

Bus driver Rafiq recalled seeing the truck crossing the divider.

“It was overspeeding. I was at 60–70 km/hr. I saw it approaching, then only remember the impact — after that, I don’t know what happened or how I was pulled out,” he said from the hospital, adding he tried to control the bus but couldn’t.

Cleaner Mohammed Sadiq, who suffered minor injuries, said he was thrown out through the glass.

“The truck directly rammed the diesel tank. I was sleeping in front when the accident happened,” he said.

Ex-gratia announced
Prime Minister Modi posted on X: “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives… Condolences to the bereaved. Prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured.” He announced ₹2 lakh compensation from PMNRF for the families of each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah declared ₹5 lakh for each family of the dead and ₹50,000 for the injured, saying officials had been instructed to support the affected and ensure a probe.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar also expressed shock over the tragedy.

The collision was so severe that both vehicles were mangled. Flames spread across the road as people tried to extinguish the fire. Firefighters struggled to control the blaze.

The bus was left charred across the highway, its roof collapsed, and metal twisted — reduced to a skeletal frame with burnt debris, belongings, and vehicle parts scattered over the road.