TNI Bureau: At least 10 people lost their lives in a tragic road accident after a passenger bus collided with a truck and caught fire on National Highway-48 in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district on Wednesday. The incident occurred near Gorlathu village in Hiriyur taluk, and authorities fear the death toll may rise.

According to police, the bus was travelling from Bengaluru to Shivamogga when the collision took place. Preliminary findings suggest that the truck crossed the road divider and rammed into the oncoming bus, triggering a massive fire. Several passengers were trapped inside the bus and were burnt alive.

East Zone Inspector General of Police Ravikanthe Gowda said the bus was carrying 32 passengers bound for Gokarna. While nine passengers managed to escape without injuries, several others sustained injuries and were rushed to hospitals in Hiriyur and Chitradurga for treatment.

The bus driver and cleaner managed to escape, but the truck’s driver and cleaner were among those killed in the accident. Police said many passengers survived by jumping out of the bus immediately after the crash.

District administration officials, police, and emergency response teams are carrying out recovery operations, and efforts are underway to remove the charred remains of the bus from the highway. Traffic on the stretch was affected following the incident.

In a narrow escape, another bus carrying 45 schoolchildren from T Dasarahalli to Dandeli, which was travelling close behind, avoided the accident. Officials said the driver quickly steered the bus to the other side of the road, preventing any injuries.

Several of the victims were reportedly travelling home to celebrate the Christmas holidays.