In the early hours of December 25, 2025, a horrific accident on National Highway 48 near Javanagondanahalli in Hiriyur taluk of Chitradurga district, Karnataka, turned a festive season into a tragedy. A speeding container truck collided with a private sleeper bus, resulting in a fire that claimed the lives of at least six people and injured 28 others. Among the deceased are five bus passengers who were heading to their native places for the Christmas weekend and the driver of the truck.
The incident occurred around 2-3 am when the truck, reportedly traveling at high speed, jumped the road divider and hit the bus, which was carrying 29 passengers. The impact of the collision immediately ignited a fire, trapping many passengers inside the sleeper bus. According to the bus driver, Rafiq, who is currently receiving treatment for injuries, the truck was overspeeding. Rafiq, who was driving at 60-70 km/hr, attempted to control the bus upon seeing the approaching vehicle but was unable to avoid the collision. Mohammed Sadiq, the bus cleaner, recounted being thrown from the bus due to the impact.
Emergency services, including police and fire personnel, rushed to the scene to rescue passengers and contain the blaze. However, the fire had quickly engulfed the bus, making rescue efforts extremely challenging. The charred remains of the bus and the bodies of the victims painted a grim picture at the accident site. Injured passengers were transported to nearby hospitals in Sira and Hiriyur.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the negligence of the truck driver, identified as Kuldeep, was the primary cause of the accident. Kuldeep also died in the crash. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the tragedy.
The accident has prompted শোক and condolences from across the country. Prime Minister's Office expressed grief over the loss of lives and wished for the speedy recovery of the injured. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has ordered a probe into the accident and expressed his condolences. "My heart shook hearing the news of the horrific accident between a lorry (container truck) and a bus near Chitradurga in which many passengers were burnt alive," Siddaramaiah said. "It is regrettable that the journey of those who were going home for the Christmas holidays ended in such a tragedy," he added.
The Hiriyur Rural police have registered a case, and investigations are ongoing. The focus remains on providing support to the families of the victims and ensuring that the injured receive the best possible medical care. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and the need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations to prevent such devastating accidents in the future.
