Karnataka Bus Accident LIVE: Chitradurga Police Chief confirms five fatalities so far in the tragic NH-48 bus crash

Hiriyur Rural police register FIR against truck driver on charges of causing death by rash and negligent driving.

People examined the charred and mangled remains of a private sleeper bus involved in a fatal accident on National Highway 48 on December 25, 2025, which has claimed five lives so far. | Photo Credit: S.K. Dinesh

Police confirmed that a container truck rammed into a luxury sleeper bus on National Highway 48 near Hiriyur in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district in the early hours of Thursday (December 25, 2025), killing five people. Chitradurga Superintendent of Police Ranjith Kumar Bandaru said authorities have so far confirmed five fatalities.

The sleeper bus, carrying 32 passengers to Gokarna, caught fire immediately after the collision. East Zone Inspector General of Police Ravikanthe Gowda said flames quickly engulfed the vehicle, trapping several passengers inside and burning most of the victims to death.

The bus driver and cleaner managed to escape, while the truck driver and his cleaner were among those killed.

Reports indicate that the truck driver’s negligence caused the accident on the highway connecting Bengaluru with Pune and Mumbai. The driver allegedly jumped the road divider, lost control of the vehicle, and crashed into the oncoming bus.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and desperate rescue attempts as flames engulfed the bus. “Fire was all around, and we could not open the door,” a survivor said while recalling the moments after the collision.

Another survivor, Aditya, said the impact threw him to the floor and fire spread rapidly within minutes, with passengers screaming for help. “We broke the glass to escape. People were shouting, and some tried to save others, but the fire spread so fast that rescue became extremely difficult,” he told reporters.

Manjunath (24), a resident of Bengaluru, suffered nearly 30% burn injuries ranging from superficial to deep and is currently undergoing treatment in the ICU. Doctors said his condition is serious but stable and expressed hope for his recovery. Two other passengers, Devika (22) and Keerthan (22), sustained minor burn injuries and are reported to be out of danger. Another passenger with a nasal injury was treated on an outpatient basis.

FIR registered against truck driver

The Hiriyur Rural police registered an FIR against the container truck driver on charges of causing death by rash and negligent driving. Police filed the case based on the statement of Sachin, the driver of a private bus carrying schoolchildren on a trip.

Truck belonged to Haryana-based firm

The container truck involved in the collision belonged to a Haryana-based transport firm and was carrying beverages from Supa in Maharashtra to Nelamangala near Bengaluru. The truck driver, Kuldeep, a native of Uttar Pradesh, died in the accident. Police suspect he may have dozed off, crossed the road divider, and lost control of the vehicle.

Within eight kilometres of the accident site, two road diversions were in place due to ongoing flyover construction. However, Pradeep, a taxi driver who regularly travels on the highway, said it was unlikely that the driver dozed off, noting that the truck had already negotiated two service-road diversions before crossing the divider.

School bus driver praised for averting another tragedy

The driver of another private bus was praised by locals for his quick judgment, which helped prevent a second tragedy. Sachin, a native of Holenarasipur in Hassan district, was driving a bus carrying 43 schoolchildren from a private school in T. Dasarahalli, Bengaluru, on a study tour when the accident occurred nearby.

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Karnataka bus accident: CM and PM announce ex-gratia

Karnataka announced ex-gratia compensation for the victims of the bus accident as leaders expressed condolences over the tragedy.

IGP Dr. B.R. Ravikante Gowda said a school bus travelling parallel to the sleeper bus from T. Dasarahalli to Dandeli also collided with the burnt vehicle.

“Fortunately, the 48 students on the school bus escaped without injuries. The school bus driver witnessed the entire incident, and we are recording his statement. Further inquiry is underway,” Dr. Gowda said.

CM announces ₹5 lakh compensation for kin of deceased

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced compensation following the tragic accident in Chitradurga that claimed several lives. In a post on X, he said the state would provide ₹5 lakh to the families of each deceased, while the injured would receive ₹50,000 each. He added that he had sought detailed reports from officials, directed them to extend all possible assistance to the victims, and ordered an investigation into the cause of the accident.

Fire and rescue teams rushed to the spot immediately after receiving information about the blaze. Three fire tenders, along with a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team, carried out rescue operations. A 4,500-litre fire tender from Sira reached the site first, followed by vehicles from Hiriyur and Chitradurga fire stations.

Nagesh, the regional fire officer, told The Hindu that the Sira fire station in Tumakuru district received the first call at 2.15 a.m. Firefighters brought the blaze under control within half an hour, while rescue operations and the recovery of bodies continued until around 8 a.m.

Several Karnataka ministers expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident. Minister Satish Jarkiholi said he was deeply shocked by the incident near Hiriyur in Chitradurga district, where a private sleeper bus travelling from Bengaluru to Gokarna caught fire. He conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for strength for them to endure the tragedy.

Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H.D. Kumaraswamy also expressed deep shock over the bus–lorry collision. He extended condolences to the bereaved families and urged the Karnataka government to ensure proper medical care for the injured.

The bus driver, Rafiq, who is undergoing treatment, said he tried to control the vehicle after spotting the overspeeding truck approaching from the opposite direction but failed. “The truck crossed the road divider and hit the bus. I was driving at around 60–70 kmph. I only remember the truck hitting the bus and then losing consciousness,” he told reporters.

Rafiq added that the bus brushed against another vehicle travelling alongside before the collision. Mohammed Sadiq, the bus cleaner, who sustained minor injuries, said the impact threw him out of the bus.

Deeply pained by loss of lives in Karnataka: President Murmu

President Droupadi Murmu extended her condolences to the families of those killed in a bus accident in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. “Deeply pained by the tragic bus fire incident in Chitradurga, Karnataka, which has led to the loss of lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for speedy recovery of the injured,” Ms. Murmu said in a post on X.

Andhra Pradesh Ministers express grief over Karnataka road tragedy

Andhra Pradesh Ministers on Thursday (December 25, 2025) expressed deep shock and sorrow over a horrific road accident near the Karnataka–Andhra Pradesh border that claimed at least 11 lives. A.P. Agriculture Minister K. Atchannaidu said the incident was extremely distressing, particularly reports stating that so many people were burnt alive after a bus caught fire following the accident. He conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and said the news of the tragedy was heartbreaking. The Minister also wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the mishap. Truck hit divider, crossed to the other lane and hit the sleeper bus: Police

“Among the dead is the driver of the container truck. Besides that, the police found four charred bodies in the bus. However, their identities are yet to be ascertained. Excluding the three people, who are yet to be traced, all are safe and some of them suffered minor injuries, Mr. Gowda said. The accident occurred as the truck, heading towards Bengaluru, hit the divider and crossed on to other lane. The truck hit the bus, impacting the diesel tank, which caused fire, according to the police officer.

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