CHITRADURGA, Karnataka — A devastating road accident in the early hours of Thursday, December 25, 2025 claimed many lives and left several injured when a fuel tanker truck jumped the median and collided head-on with a private sleeper coach on National Highway 48 (NH-48) near Gorlathu Cross, in Hiriyur taluk, Chitradurga district.
Preliminary reports indicate the collision immediately triggered a massive fire that engulfed the bus, turning it into an inferno within seconds and trapping passengers inside. Emergency services were called to the scene, but the intensity of the blaze made rescue operations extremely difficult.
What Happened
According to police and eyewitness accounts, the fuel tanker — reportedly carrying highly flammable liquid — veered across the central divider and struck the bus traveling in the opposite direction. The collision occurred around 3 a.m., when visibility was low and most passengers were asleep.
At least 20 passengers were burned alive in the blaze, officials confirmed, making this one of the deadliest highway accidents in recent times for the southern state. Several others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The bus was en route from Bengaluru to Shivamogga and was carrying about 29 to 32 passengers when the collision occurred. Survivors said the fire spread in minutes, affording little time for escape.
Driver’s Account
The bus driver, who survived but sustained injuries, recounted the horrifying moment when the tanker suddenly appeared: he was traveling at around 60–70 km/hr when he saw the truck approaching from the opposite direction and attempted to control the vehicle. He said he could not avoid the crash.
Some passengers and the conductor managed to jump out of the bus moments before it burst into flames, but many others were trapped as the fire consumed the vehicle.
Casualties and Emergency Response
Officials at the crash site recovered multiple bodies and continue to search for victims amid the mangled, charred wreckage. Police confirmed that the tanker driver also died in the crash.
Firefighters and local rescue teams were dispatched immediately, and efforts are focused on extinguishing the blaze, recovering remains, and treating the injured. Nearby hospitals reported treating several passengers with burn injuries and trauma.
A school bus traveling parallel to the sleeper coach narrowly avoided disaster. It collided with the burning wreckage but fortunately all 48 students on board escaped unharmed, according to police.
Official Reactions and Investigation
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and announced ex-gratia compensation: ₹2 lakh (200,000 rupees) for the next of kin of those killed and ₹50,000 for those injured, to be provided from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
Karnataka’s Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also voiced shock and grief, calling for a thorough investigation into the causes of the accident and urging authorities to identify and enforce any road safety lapses.
Local police have registered a case at Hiriyur Rural Police Station, and investigators are examining whether negligence, vehicle malfunction, speed, driver error, or other factors contributed to the tanker crossing the median and striking the bus.
Highway Safety Concerns
Highway travel in India’s busy transport corridors remains perilous, especially at night and on stretches like NH-48, where heavy commercial traffic and passenger buses frequently operate. This accident has renewed calls from safety advocates for improved road divider integrity, stricter enforcement of tanker safety standards, and mandatory advanced safety equipment on buses, including fire suppression systems and accessible emergency exits.
Experts note that in collisions involving flammable cargo, even slight breaches in fuel tanks can lead to catastrophic fires with little warning for passengers to react.
Traffic Disruption and Aftermath
The accident caused a significant traffic jam stretching up to 30 kilometers on NH-48, with vehicles stranded as authorities worked to clear the scene and reopen the highway.
Authorities have called for caution among motorists and emphasized patience as investigations and recovery processes continue.
Summary
A tragic early-morning crash on National Highway 48 in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district saw a fuel tanker cross the median and collide with a sleeper bus, sparking a massive fire that claimed dozens of lives and injured many more. Authorities are investigating and offering support to victims’ families, while emergency crews continue rescue work, amid heightened concerns about road and transport safety across India’s highways.
