Surendranagar, May 14: A tragic road accident has occurred in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district, where a private bus collided with a tanker near Sangani village, resulting in a fire that claimed the lives of four passengers. Additionally, ten others sustained injuries.
According to officials, the incident took place between 1:30 AM and 2:00 AM near Chotila in Surendranagar district. Initial investigations suggest that a tire of the asphalt-laden tanker burst while traveling on the highway, causing the driver to lose control.
This led to a severe collision with a luxury private bus approaching from behind. Officials reported that the impact caused a short circuit in the bus, igniting a fire almost immediately. Many passengers were asleep and had no time to escape before the flames engulfed the vehicle.
At the time of the accident, approximately 40 passengers were on board the bus. Several were rescued following the collision, but tragically, four passengers perished in the fire.
The tanker was carrying asphalt, which contributed to the rapid spread of the flames. The injured were taken to Rajkot Civil Hospital, while the deceased were sent to Chotila Referral Hospital for post-mortem examinations.
Authorities confirmed that many passengers were saved from the burning bus. Eyewitnesses and local residents assisted in breaking windows to help trapped passengers escape before firefighters arrived on the scene.
Eyewitness Ajay Mewada reported that several individuals used rods and pipes to shatter the bus windows and rescue those inside. He noted that the leaking bitumen intensified the fire, making it more challenging to control.
Among the injured are 18-year-old Vidhi Patodia from Junagadh district, 50-year-old Narendra Rathod from Limbdi, and 30-year-old Nagaraj Rana from Gir Somnath district.
Police stated that several injured passengers suffered burns after jumping from the bus to escape the flames, while others sustained fractures.
The accident caused significant traffic disruption on the highway for several hours. Authorities have registered a case and are continuing their investigation into the incident.
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