Greater Noida: At least nine people were killed after an AC sleeper bus caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida late Wednesday night, September 23. Several other passengers were injured in the incident, which took place near Dayanatpur village in the Jewar area.

According to police officials, the bus was travelling from Delhi/Noida towards Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh. Reports put the number of passengers on board at around 35, although some early accounts have given different figures.

The fire broke out while the bus was travelling on the expressway. Many passengers were asleep at the time and were alerted only after the blaze had started. Heavy smoke quickly filled the bus, making it difficult for passengers to escape.

Some passengers managed to get out through the doors and windows, while others reportedly jumped from the moving bus in an attempt to escape the flames. Nine passengers could not get out in time and died in the fire.

Firefighters and police teams reached the spot after receiving information about the incident. Several fire tenders were deployed to bring the blaze under control, following which rescue and relief operations were carried out.

The injured passengers were taken to nearby hospitals for treatment. Authorities have not yet released a complete list of the victims, and efforts to establish their identities are underway.

Cause of Fire Yet to Be Confirmed

The exact cause of the Yamuna Expressway bus fire has not been officially established. Preliminary reports have mentioned the possibility of an electrical short circuit, while some eyewitness accounts have referred to sounds resembling firecrackers coming from the bus. Authorities have not confirmed either explanation.

Police and other agencies are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, including how the fire started and how it spread so quickly through the sleeper bus.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences over the deaths and directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for those injured and assistance for the families of the deceased.

The incident has once again drawn attention to passenger safety on overnight sleeper buses, particularly the challenges passengers face in escaping when a fire breaks out inside a moving vehicle.

Further details, including the identities of the deceased and the official cause of the fire, are awaited.