Greater Noida Bus Fire: Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the deaths in a bus fire on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh
from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased. The Prime Minister also announced financial assistance of Rs 50,000 for each person injured in the incident.
“Distressed to hear about the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy on a bus in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the swift recovery of the injured,” PM Modi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
At least 9 people, including a woman, were burnt to death and several others were injured after a sleeper tourist bus carrying 35 passengers caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway late Wednesday night.
Read more: No Emergency Exit, Paint Thinner In Luggage Bay: How Sleeper Bus Turned Into Death Trap On Yamuna Expressway
Preliminary investigation suggested that the fire originated following a blast in the bus’s air-conditioning system. The blast ignited the engine’s lubricating oil, causing the flames to spread rapidly through the vehicle. The bus was travelling from Noida to Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh’s Bundelkhand region via the Yamuna Expressway when the fire broke out. Most of the passengers were asleep at the time.
The sudden blaze triggered panic among the passengers, with several attempting to escape by jumping out through the bus windows. The bus was seen engulfed in flames on the side of the expressway as the fire rapidly spread through the vehicle.
After receiving information about the fire, a fire brigade team and personnel from the Jewar police station reached the spot and launched rescue and relief operations. A case has been registered in connection with the incident and police arrested the driver and conductor of the bus.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also expressed condolences over the deaths and took stock of the situation. He directed officials to ensure proper treatment for those injured and provide all possible assistance to the families of those who died. The state government also announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the family of each deceased person and Rs 50,000 for each injured person.
