Private sleeper bus catches fire near Shivamogga, 36 injured

Shivamogga, Jan 29: A private sleeper bus traveling from Nagara in Hosanagara taluk to Bengaluru caught fire near Suduru village on Thursday, leaving at least 36 passengers injured, police said. One passenger sustained serious injuries, while the others suffered minor burns and were treated at local hospitals.
The non-air-conditioned bus had picked up passengers from Nagara, Hosanagara, and Ripponpet before the fire broke out near the ninth milestone close to Arasalu village. Witnesses reported smoke inside the vehicle before the driver deliberately rammed the bus into a tree, allowing passengers to escape.
Twelve injured passengers were shifted to McGann Hospital in Shivamogga, while others received treatment at Ripponpet Hospital. Authorities confirmed that all are now out of immediate danger.
Firefighters and emergency personnel, alongside the Ripponpet police, rushed to the scene to extinguish the blaze, but the bus was completely destroyed in the blaze. Police are questioning the driver, and a Regional Transport Office (RTO) team has been dispatched to investigate whether mechanical failure or negligence caused the fire. A case has been registered by Ripponpet police.
Member of Parliament Raghavendra Yediyurappa expressed concern over the incident, wishing a speedy recovery for the injured and highlighting ongoing concerns over road safety in India.