SW News: A blaze in a bus killed at least 25 passengers and injured eight others in the Indian state of Maharashtra on Saturday, July 1. The vehicle, which was traveling from Nagpur to Pune rammed into a pole in the wee hours and caught fire.

According to police, there were 30 passengers on the vehicle apart from two drivers and another staffer. Investigators said the driver lost control of the bus on the Samruddhi Mahamarg highway near Buldhana around 2 am. He survived the blaze and is facing a police probe. As per initial reports, the driver is suspected to have fallen asleep while driving.

Soon after the accident occurred, police patrolling the highway rushed to the spot along with personnel belonging to other government agencies. Those who were injured were quickly taken to a hospital nearby. The second driver who was sleeping in the vehicle died in the blaze.

The Indian Express daily quoted a senior officer as saying, “The bus was travelling at a high speed when it hit the pole and then a wall on the highway. Due to its impact, the two (front) tires came off and the diesel tank of the bus exploded, following which the bus caught fire.”
Police said that there were mattresses on board as it was a sleeper bus and that fuelled the flames.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a compensation of Rs 0.2 million rupees to the relatives of each deceased person. On Twitter, Modi wrote, “Deeply saddened by the devastating bus mishap in Buldhana, Maharashtra. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is providing all possible assistance to the affected.

State Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and his deputy Devendra Fadnavis visited the site of the accident and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 0.5 million for the victims’ families.