9 killed as massive fire engulfs double-decker bus on Yamuna Expressway

Nine passengers, including a woman, were charred to death after a double-decker bus caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway in Uttar Pradesh’s Greater Noida on Thursday, officials said.

The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of the Jewar police station, triggering panic among passengers as flames rapidly engulfed the bus. Several people managed to escape by breaking or jumping through the windows.

More than 30 passengers were reportedly travelling on the bus when it suddenly caught fire. Nine passengers were trapped inside and died in the blaze, while others were evacuated from the vehicle.

After receiving information about the incident, fire brigade personnel and police teams from Jewar rushed to the spot and launched rescue and relief operations. Windows of the bus were reportedly broken to help passengers escape.

The bus was travelling from Noida towards Mahoba via the Yamuna Expressway when the fire broke out. The exact cause of the blaze has not yet been established, and authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A preliminary report indicated that the bus was carrying a substantial amount of luggage, including baggage placed on its roof. Investigators are expected to examine whether the quantity and manner in which the luggage was loaded had any bearing on the spread of the fire or the evacuation process.

The incident has also brought renewed attention to passenger safety measures on long-distance buses, particularly the availability of emergency exits, fire-safety equipment and unobstructed evacuation routes.

Police and fire department teams remained at the scene as rescue and relief operations continued. Further details, including the identities of those killed and the cause of the fire, are awaited.