Kannauj Bus Fire: At least 21 passengers have been rescued and taken to hospital.
Highlights
- Collision between truck and private sleeper bus in UP
- 20 feared dead, bus was carrying 46 people
- PM Modi tweeted condolences to families of those who died
Twenty people are feared dead after a bus carrying 46 passengers collided with a truck in Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj district and caught fire on Friday evening. Twenty one passengers have been rescued and taken to hospital, police said.
The police said there was a head-on collision between the truck and the private sleeper bus that was headed to Jaipur.
"Saddened to know about the serious road accident in Uttar Pradesh's Kannauj. Many people have lost their lives in this accident. I express my condolences to the families of the dead, I wish the injured a speedy recovery," Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted in Hindi this morning.
It took three to four fire engines about 30 to 40 minutes to douse the fire in both the vehicles.
"The 21 people rescued are out of danger. The fire in bus and truck has been doused. It is very unlikely anyone will be found alive inside the bus," said Inspector General of Police, Kanpur range, Mohit Agarwal.
"Some people were trapped inside. Fire engines were called from Kannauj and Mainpuri," said Ravindra Kumar, District Magistrate Kannauj.
An eyewitness said the bus was packed to capacity when the accident took place.
"There were many travellers. Only 10 to 12 could get out of the bus. The bus was absolutely packed. Other than the 10 to 12 who could get off the bus, everyone else was inside," said an eyewitness.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to ensure proper treatment of the injured.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed condolences to the families of those killed. "I express my deepest condolences to the families of those who died and wish speedy recovery for those injured," Mr Gandhi tweeted in Hindi.