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Greater Noida Bus Fire: Passengers had already reported the burning smell
Nine passengers died in a bus accident on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida late Wednesday night. There were about 30-35 passengers in the sleeper bus going from Kashmir Gate, Delhi to Mahoba. According to the police, the bus caught fire around 11:30 am near the 33rd kilometer near Jewar.
Before the Greater Noida accident, some passengers had smelled burning from the driver’s cabin. According to the complaint lodged in the FIR, the passengers informed the driver and conductor about this and asked them to stop the bus and investigate.
The complainant alleged that the crew did not stop the bus immediately, saying the smell was normal. After some time, flames started appearing near the driver’s seat and within no time the fire spread inside the bus.
FIR claims: The bus refused to stop despite passengers’ requests.
According to the Greater Noida police complaint, passengers repeatedly demanded the bus stop before the fire broke out. The FIR alleges that the driver and conductor did not act immediately on the warnings of the passengers.
The complaint also mentions the crew allegedly responding to passengers in a highly offensive manner. However, this entire statement is recorded in the FIR as the allegation of the complainant and the police is investigating it.
As the fire spread, the bus filled with smoke. Some passengers somehow managed to get out of the bus, while some were stuck inside. According to police, 9 passengers lost their lives in the accident.
Smoking in the bus cabin is also alleged.
In the FIR, the complainant alleges that the driver and conductor were smoking beedis and cigarettes in the cabin. During this time, it has been said in the complaint that flames were seen near the driver’s seat.
The Greater Noida police are currently investigating these allegations. Regarding the technical reason of the accident, in its initial investigation, Greater Noida Police has expressed the possibility of fire in the engine lubricating oil after a spark or blast in the AC system.
Therefore, the actual cause of the fire and the alleged negligence of the crew can be confirmed only after the investigation is completed. Police are also investigating the technical condition of the bus and the evidence found at the spot.
Several passengers escaped as the fire spread.
The fire spread rapidly, causing panic among the passengers on the bus. Rescue operations were launched after the arrival of police and fire brigade teams.
According to the Chief Fire Officer of Greater Noida, around 20 to 25 passengers were evacuated safely. Many passengers were taken to hospital for treatment. Nine passengers have been confirmed dead.
Passengers’ luggage, mobile phones and other items kept in the bus were also destroyed in the accident. Police are now investigating the identity of the deceased and the full circumstances of the accident.
Driver and conductor arrested; investigation will reveal many questions
Following the Greater Noida accident, police arrested the bus driver and conductor. An FIR has been registered against him and investigation has been started. Police are trying to find out why there was a delay in stopping the bus despite the warning from passengers.
The investigation is also revealing information about the bus’s fitness, permit, technical condition and previously recorded traffic violations. According to India Today report, 19 challans were earlier registered against this bus, the total amount of which is said to be around Rs 1.75 lakh.
Now the investigating agencies are also looking into whether the safety rules were being followed during the operation of the bus or not.
Further legal action will be decided based on all these aspects.
Initial investigations by Greater Noida police suggest the fire may have been caused by a fault in the bus’s AC system, possibly due to a spark or explosion in the engine lubricating oil. Reports indicate that the fire spread rapidly thereafter.
However, no conclusion has been drawn regarding the final cause of the fire until the technical investigation is completed. The circumstances of the fire will be clarified based on the examination of the bus and other forensic evidence.
Meanwhile, the police is also recording the statements of the passengers. By combining the allegations made in the FIR and the findings of the technical investigation, an attempt will be made to find out what actually happened before the accident.
Greater Noida Bus Fire: Accident raises questions about bus safety
This accident on the Yamuna Expressway has raised questions about safety arrangements on long-distance buses. According to the passengers’ complaint, a burning smell was felt before the fire broke out, but the bus was not stopped immediately. The police is investigating this allegation.
After the accident, the technical condition of the bus, safety standards, permits and records related to old challans are also under investigation. Police have arrested the driver and conductor and further investigation is underway in the case.
The most important questions facing the police at the moment are what caused the fire, what happened in stopping the bus after the passengers’ warning, and whether safety rules were followed. The answers to these questions will become clear only after the investigation is completed.
