At least 12 people, including a child, were killed and 30 injured after a bus caught fire in Maharashtra's Nashik early this morning, officials have said.
The bus caught fire after hitting a trailer truck transporting diesel on the Nashik-Aurangabad highway, they added.
"Most of those killed were passengers of the bus - a sleeper coach. The injured have been shifted to the hospital for treatment," said Amol Tambe, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Nashik.
He said a case has been registered and investigation is on to ascertain the exact cause of the fire.
Videos showed a huge ball of fire engulfing the bus as the fire officials tried to douse the flames.
Eyewitnesses said the accident took place at around 5.15 am after which they called the police and ambulance.
They said the fire was so intense that they could not do anything to save the passengers.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each for the families who have lost a member in the accident. The injured would be given Rs 50,000.
Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the family of those who died in the accident.
The Maharashtra government will bear the medical expenses of the wounded, said state minister Dada Bhuse.
The death count in the accident may go up as the condition of some of the injured persons is serious, officials said.
Devendra Fadnavis' Big Charge As Rahul Gandhi Visits Violence-Hit Maharashtra City Maharashtra Doctor, Wanted For Murder Of Guard At His Hospital, Detained "Chance At Centre...": Ajit Pawar's 1st Reaction To NCP's Chhagan Bhujbal Row Israel Confirms It Killed Ex-Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran Congress Leader Files Complaint Against Allu Arjun Over Scene In 'Pushpa 2' Bengaluru Techie Loses Rs 11.8 Crore After "Digital Arrest" Check List Of Institutions Approved By Council Of Architecture Over 1,000 Vehicles Stuck Amid Heavy Snowfall In Himachal's Manali Kilauea Volcano Erupts Again, Spews Columns Of Lava Above Hawaii Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.