9 Killed On Yamuna Expressway, FIR Alleges Driver Ignored Burning Smell

A bus carrying 9 passengers, on its way from the capital Delhi to Mahoba, on the Yamuna Expressway, caught fire late on Wednesday night killing 9 passengers in Greater Noida. The fire started at around 11.30pm around the 33 km mark, trapping a few passengers within the vehicle.

It is reported that fire broke out near the driver's cabin on the bus with about 30 – 35 passengers aboard. Heavy smoke filled the cabin ensuring that the people who were able to, scrambled to the exits. There were reports of some passengers getting out of the bus to run away.

Both the driver and the conductor (Pawan and Yogesh) have been arrested and an investigation is ongoing.

FIR says driver and conductor failed to listen to warning

Passenger Sunil Kumar has lodged a complaint pointing out what allegedly happened just before the fire. The FIR said that the passengers noticed a burning odor while it was coming and raised the alarm to the driver and conductor.

The complaint states that the crew failed to immediately stop the bus to check the source of the odor. Instead, they were said to have brushed aside some of the concerns and stated that such an odor is a regular occurrence in the car.

The FIR also states that the driver and conductor were still smoking in the cab. Fire was reported to have ignited near the driver's seat and spread quickly all over the bus shortly after.

This led to an alarm going off and the driver being repeatedly asked to stop by the passengers. By then smoke had filled the passenger compartment and it was hard for people inside to see or breathe.

The passengers fought for their lives to get off

Passengers were reported to be rushing out of the burning car, creating a chaotic scene, according to survivors.

He was asleep when another passenger woke him up and told him to watch out for the fire, said one of the passengers. After struggling his way through the smoke, he escaped.

Other passengers, Rinki Rajput, reported that she had left the bus without even putting on her shoes or collecting her belongings. The smoke reduced visibility to almost nothing and passengers were pushing each other to try and get out, she said.

Rescue crews and firefighters arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. Eight passengers were rushed to Jewar's Kailash Hospital for hospitalisation.

Cause Of Fire Under Investigation

An electrical or air-conditioning system fault may have caused the fire, officials said, but officials have not yet definitively determined the cause.

The investigation is continuing with the police examining the bus, statements from survivors and other evidence. The FIR also will be investigated during the probe, regarding the driver's and conductor's conduct.

This bus was a Raj Kalpana Travels Bus and it’s a bus that was travelling from Delhi towards Mahoba.

PM Modi and Yogi announce financial assistance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed his grief over the lives lost and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each passenger who perished. The injured will be paid Rs 50,000 each.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath also announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh for the families of those who lost their lives and Rs 50,000 to injured. He told officials that they should provide medical treatment to the survivors and help to the families of the victims.

A fire investigation of the circumstances of the fire is ongoing.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susmita Modak

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Always love to raise the unraised matter. In a world of worries, I am always ready to come over my comfort zone and taking the step ahead of spreading awareness.

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