No Emergency Exit, Paint Thinner In Luggage Bay: How Sleeper Bus Turned Into Death Trap On Yamuna Expressway

Photo / Illustration: Haldwani Times News Desk

<p>No emergency exit, structural violations and the presence of paint thinner in the luggage compartment have emerged as key findings in the preliminary investigation into the bus fire on the Yamuna Expressway that killed nine passengers.</p> <p>The bus, operated by Raj Kalpana Travels, was travelling from Kashmere Gate in Delhi to Mahoba when it caught fire near the 33-km milestone in Greater Noida’s Jewar area in the early hours of Thursday.</p> <p>Initial inspections have found that the emergency exit had been rendered inaccessible after a sleeper compartment was constructed above it, as per the sources. Other structural violations were also detected, with further inspections planned to examine the bus’s permits and compliance with prescribed safety norms.</p> <p>“The emergency exit was blocked as a sleeper compartment was made above it. We’ve found initial violations. More inspections will be carried out on permits," the officials said.</p> <p>Investigators have also found paint thinner in the luggage compartment. Authorities are examining whether its transportation breached rules governing the carriage of flammable liquids on passenger buses.</p> <p>“Paint thinner was also found in the luggage compartment. We’re looking if rules around carrying flammable liquids were violated," they added.</p> <p>Nine passengers died in a bus fire on the Yamuna Expressway.</p> <p>The emergency exit was blocked by a sleeper compartment.</p> <p>Paint thinner was found in the luggage compartment of the bus.</p> <p>The bus traveled 33 kilometers before smoke was noticed.</p> <p>The driver and conductor have been taken into custody.</p> <p>According to the FIR, passengers noticed a burning smell and smoke while the bus was travelling on the expressway. They allegedly alerted the driver and helper, but they did not act upon it immediately.</p> <p>The FIR also records an allegation that the driver and staff were smoking in the driver’s cabin. Investigators are examining the circumstances surrounding the fire, including whether the smoke and smell could have provided an early warning.</p> <p>The bus had entered the Noida Expressway at around 11.30 pm and travelled about 33 kilometres before smoke was noticed coming from the driver’s cabin, according to details recorded in the case.</p> <p>Chief Fire Officer Pradeep Kumar said the preliminary probe indicated that a spark or blast in the air-conditioning system could have caused engine lubricant oil to catch fire, after which the flames spread rapidly.</p> <p>“On receiving information, police officials along with local police personnel, a rescue tender, a fire tender stationed at the Jewar toll plaza and four other fire tenders immediately reached the spot and doused the fire," Kumar said.</p> <p>“More than 20 passengers were rescued safely during the operation. When the police and fire service personnel entered the bus amid the smoke, nine people were found dead inside, apparently due to burns or suffocation," he added.</p> <p>Statements recorded by police indicate that some passengers escaped by jumping out of the bus after the fire broke out. Others, however, struggled to find their way out as smoke rapidly filled the vehicle and visibility deteriorated.</p> <p>The bus was fitted with sleeper berths, and passengers towards the front reportedly suffered burn injuries, according to statements recorded during the investigation.</p> <p>Police have registered a case under provisions relating to culpable homicide not amounting to murder and rash and negligent driving. The driver and conductor have been taken into custody by the police.</p> <p>“A case has been registered under relevant sections, and the driver and conductor have been taken into custody," police said in a statement.</p> <p>Police are working to identify the nine passengers who died in the fire.</p> <p>Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and directed officials to ensure treatment of the injured and provide assistance to the bereaved families.</p> <p>The investigation will now examine the bus’s structural modifications, permit and safety compliance, the presence and carriage of paint thinner, the response to passengers’ warnings and the circumstances that allowed the fire to spread before all occupants could escape.</p> <p>Preliminary investigations indicate that a spark or blast in the air-conditioning system may have caused the engine lubricant oil to catch fire, causing flames to spread rapidly.</p> <p>Investigators discovered that the emergency exit was blocked because a sleeper compartment had been built directly above it. Additionally, paint thinner was found inside the luggage compartment, and authorities are investigating whether rules regarding flammable liquids were violated.</p>