A catastrophic pre-dawn collision between a fuel tanker and a passenger bus on National Highway 48 in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district has resulted in a devastating death toll, with preliminary reports indicating over ten fatalities. The horrific incident occurred near Gorlathu village during the early hours of Thursday when the tanker vehicle reportedly breached the central divider and rammed into an oncoming luxury sleeper bus traveling to the coastal pilgrimage town of Gokarna.
The impact triggered an immediate conflagration that engulfed the passenger vehicle, trapping numerous occupants inside. According to East Zone Inspector General of Police Ravikanthe Gowda, most victims perished from severe burns within the rapidly burning bus despite rescue efforts. The vehicle was carrying 32 passengers including driver and conductor personnel at the time of the accident.
In a secondary collision, a school bus transporting 48 students from T Dasarahalli to Dandeli subsequently made contact with the wreckage. Miraculously, no children sustained serious injuries in this secondary incident, and the school bus driver has provided crucial eyewitness testimony to investigating authorities.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced comprehensive compensation packages for affected families through the PM National Relief Fund. Each deceased victim’s next of kin will receive ₹2 lakh (approximately Dh8,209) while injured survivors are entitled to ₹50,000 (Dh2,052) in immediate financial assistance. The Prime Minister expressed profound grief over the tragedy and extended condolences to bereaved families while wishing swift recovery for those hospitalized with injuries.
Local authorities continue investigation operations at the accident site as medical teams work to identify victims and provide necessary treatment to survivors. The death toll remains subject to potential revision as emergency responders complete their assessment of the charred vehicle wreckage.