Lucknow: In a horrific incident early Thursday morning, a sleeper AC bus traveling from Begusarai in Bihar to Delhi caught fire near Lucknow, leaving five passengers — including a mother-daughter and a father-daughter duo — burnt alive. The tragedy struck around 4:40 am on the Outer Ring Road (Kisan Path) near Mohanlalganj, while most passengers were asleep.
The deceased have been identified as Lakkhi Devi (55), her daughter Soni (26), Devraj (3) and Sakshi (2), both children of a passenger named Ramlal. One body remains unidentified.
According to officials, the fire spread so rapidly that flames were visible from nearly one kilometre away. The bus, registered as UP17 AT 6372, was completely gutted within minutes. Around 80 people were on board.
Panic and Chaos as Passengers Struggled to Escape
Survivors described the terrifying moments as the bus filled with smoke, giving them barely any time to react. Anuj Singh, one of the passengers, recalled: “Most people were fast asleep. Suddenly, there was smoke, then flames. The driver and conductor jumped out and fled. The emergency exit didn’t open. People panicked and began breaking windows to escape.”
Tragically, many passengers were trapped, especially those seated toward the rear. The narrow passage near the driver’s seat — further constricted by an extra seat — turned into a deadly obstacle. The emergency exit reportedly failed to open, leaving several passengers with no way out.
“The children’s bodies were found on the seats. Women and men were discovered under the seats — likely trampled as people scrambled to flee,” an ambulance driver at the scene told reporters.
Luggage Blocked Escape, Emergency Exit Failed
Initial investigations reveal that seven 5-kg gas cylinders were onboard the bus. Though none exploded, they raised serious questions about passenger safety. The fire brigade, which arrived shortly after receiving a distress call, managed to douse the flames in about 30 minutes — but by then, the damage was done.
Eyewitnesses said the passengers’ luggage was kept in the bus aisle, further blocking the narrow exit. The thick smoke made breathing difficult, and in the panic, many people fell while trying to escape and were crushed.
Negligence Alleged, Survivors Demand Action
Survivors and eyewitnesses have alleged gross negligence on the part of the bus operator. Several claimed that the fire started due to sparking near the engine, close to the gear lever. Many said the driver and conductor fled without attempting to help.
Ravi Kumar, another passenger, said: “The fire broke out around 4:30 am. The driver ran away. Those in the front could get out, but the rest were stuck.”
Tar Chand added, “There was no alert. No one called for help. The conductor and driver vanished.”
Balak Ram, who was traveling with his pregnant wife and two children, broke down while recounting his loss: “I managed to get my wife out. But the kids were asleep. I couldn’t save them.”
Official Response
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed deep sorrow over the incident. He has directed officials to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured and carry out a thorough investigation. Senior police and administrative officials were sent to the scene to oversee rescue efforts.
