Overview
- The private Sea Bird sleeper coach, carrying about 32 passengers from Bengaluru toward Gokarna/Shivamogga, caught fire after a collision near Gorlathu Cross in Hiriyur, Chitradurga, around 2 a.m.
- Authorities report at least nine fatalities and 21 injured, cautioning that the toll remains provisional pending audits and identification.
- Investigators say preliminary findings point to the container truck crossing the median and striking the bus, with the truck driver, identified as Kuldeep, among the dead.
- Rescue and recovery have concluded, a case is registered at Hiriyur Rural Police Station, and DNA teams and scene-of-crime officers are working to confirm identities.
- Injured passengers were taken to hospitals in Hiriyur, Chitradurga, Sira and Tumakuru, and the Prime Minister announced ex-gratia payments of Rs 2 lakh to next of kin and Rs 50,000 to the injured.