The Hindu : Front Page : 30 charred to death as bus catches fire

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Monday, May 31, 2010
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30 charred to death as bus catches fire

M. Ahiraj

CHALLAKERE (CHITRADURGA DISTRICT): Thirty persons were charred to death and 30 more sustained burns when a North Eastern Karnataka Road Transport Corporation bus, by which they were travelling, caught fire on Sunday on the outskirts of Challakere town in Chitradurga district around 3.30 a.m.

Most passengers were from villages such as Kota, Shodesaral Chachimatti, Nagnur, Tolahalli, Nagaral and Gonal in Surpur taluk of Yadgir district. They were said to be on their way to Bangalore in search of work.

Those who died include five men, 15 women and 10 children. Twenty-one bodies were charred beyond recognition.

According to H.N. Satyanarayana Rao, Inspector-General of Police (Eastern Range), the bus fell into a ditch when the driver rammed a culvert. At this juncture, the diesel tank might have caught fire.

Some passengers who woke up from deep sleep after the bus fell into the ditch, broke open the windows and managed to escape.

The bus drivers and the conductor were said to have escaped unhurt.

Fire and Emergency Services personnel and the police rushed to the spot and started rescue operations. Fire-fighting personnel had a tough time dousing the flames and removing the charred bodies.

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