At least eight people were killed and 21 others were injured after a sleeper bus travelling from Rishikesh to Indore collided with a trailer and caught fire on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Rajasthan’s Dausa district early Wednesday, according to police and media reports.
The accident happened at around 2:30 a.m. near Tanawad Zero Point in the Kolwa police station area. According to police, the bus hit the rear of a trailer travelling in the same direction. The collision was followed by a fire that spread to both vehicles, trapping several passengers inside.
Police said six passengers died in the fire, while two others died from serious injuries. Several bodies were badly burnt, and authorities said DNA tests may be required to confirm the identities of some victims.
The injured were taken to Dausa District Hospital, where several remain in critical condition. The trailer driver and his helper were also injured, according to police.
According to media reports, some survivors alleged that emergency services took time to reach the scene, while local residents helped rescue passengers by breaking the bus windows. These claims have not been independently verified.
Media reports also said some local residents claimed cartons of cigarettes were found in the bus’s luggage compartment. Police have not confirmed the claim and said it is being examined as part of the investigation.
One passenger from Indore remains unaccounted for, according to media reports.
Police said the cause of the crash is under investigation. Initial findings suggest driver fatigue could be one possible factor, but officials said no conclusion has been reached. CCTV footage, forensic evidence and other material are being examined.
Authorities said their priority is providing medical care to the injured, identifying the victims and completing the investigation.
