Nine charred to death as truck rams into private bus near Chitradurga
Mangalore Today News Network
Chitradurga, December 25, 2025: In a horrific accident, as many as nine people were charred to death and others sustained injuries when a heavy truck rammed into a private bus after hitting road divider on the national highway near Javangondanahalli, Hiriyur taluk in the wee hours of Thursday.
The bus was heading towards Gokarna from Bengaluru. The collision was so severe that it triggered spark that led to the incident.
Eastern Range IGP Ravikanthe Gowda rushed to the spot.
VIDEO | Chitradurga, Karnataka: Over 10 people are feared dead in a lorry-bus collision on National Highway 48 near Gorlathu village in Hiriyur taluk.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 25, 2025
The bus, travelling from Bengaluru to Shivamogga, caught fire following the crash. Nine passengers reportedly escaped unhurt,… pic.twitter.com/dj75qIiIws
The accident happened after the truck jumped a road-divider and collided with the oncoming bus, Gowda told reporters.
The bus driver and cleaner escaped. The driver of the truck and its cleaner are among the dead.
The injured passengers have been shifted to a hospital in Shira in Tumakuru district, he added.
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.
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) December 25, 2025
An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each…
PM Modi condoled the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 Lakh for the next of kin.
According to police, five passengers died on the spot. The bus driver and the conductor managed to survive. The 12-wheeler truck driver died on th spot, officials said.