New Delhi: Another devastating road accident has shaken the country, this time from Karnataka’s Chitradurga district. A private sleeper bus travelling from Bengaluru to Shivamogga met with a fatal accident on National Highway 48, leaving several passengers dead and many others injured. The incident occurred near Gorlathu Cross in Hiriyur taluk and has once again raised serious concerns over highway safety.

According to police officials, the accident took place when a lorry moving from Hiriyur towards Bengaluru suddenly crossed the central divider and collided head-on with an oncoming bus. The impact was so severe that the sleeper coach immediately caught fire, turning the middle of the bus highway into a scene of chaos and horror.

Many passengers were trapped inside the bus as flames spread rapidly, leaving little chance for escape. Some people who managed to break free suffered serious burn injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals in Hiriyur and Chitradurga. Emergency services and local residents attempted rescue operations while police worked to control the situation.

This is Horrible 💔

A tragic accident occurred involving a #Bengaluru – #Goa AC bus and a lorry near #Hiriyuru on the NH highway at around 1:00 AM on 25 December 2025.
Lorry misjudged the road and crossed the divider, leading to a severe collision. The AC bus was completely… pic.twitter.com/SGnnS67Ar2

— Ballari Tweetz (@TweetzBallari)

The fire completely gutted the bus, making rescue and recovery operations extremely difficult. Firefighters and officials struggled for hours to douse the flames and clear debris from the road. The bus involved in the accident belonged to a private travel service operating on the Bengaluru-Shivamogga route. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a social media post, expressed grief over the lives lost in the crash and hoped that those injured would recover at the earliest.

Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in the Chitradurga district of Karnataka. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May those injured recover at the earliest.

An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each…

— PMO India (@PMOIndia)

Police said the final casualty figures will be confirmed only after a detailed audit and identification process. However, the officials at the scene feared the toll could rise, given the intensity of the blaze and the condition of the vehicle.