At least nine people are feared dead, and 21 others injured in a tragic incident on Christmas Day in Chitradurga district, Karnataka. The mishap occurred when a sleeper coach bus collided with a truck on National Highway 48, resulting in a fire. The truck driver, identified as Kuldeep, also lost his life in the accident.
Authorities reported that nine passengers are missing and presumed dead, with the exact toll to be confirmed upon recovery of the bodies. The private Sea Bird sleeper coach bus was en route from Bengaluru to Gokarna when the collision took place. Passengers who sustained injuries were promptly shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.
In total, 21 individuals were injured in the collision, with ongoing efforts to retrieve the bodies from the bus for identification and post-mortem examinations. The accident, attributed to the truck driver’s negligence, caused significant traffic disruptions on the highway. Fortunately, a school bus carrying children narrowly avoided being involved in the incident.
