A tour bus plunged into flames on a busy highway in western India, killing at least 20 people and injuring dozens more. The blaze began near the town of Dholka, about 40 miles from Ahmedabad, just as the vehicle was crossing a densely populated stretch of the state of Gujarat. Passengers, many of whom were on a pilgrimage tour, were trapped inside as the fire spread rapidly.
Firefighters arrived within minutes, battling the inferno and scrambling to pull people from the wreckage. Rescue teams pulled survivors out of the twisted metal, but the heat was so intense that several passengers were unable to escape, leading to the high death toll. Emergency crews also struggled to control the flames, which threatened nearby homes and businesses. The incident was recorded as the deadliest bus blaze in the region in recent years.
Police and the Gujarat Fire Department said they are investigating the cause of the fire. Preliminary reports suggest that a possible electrical fault or a gas leak may have sparked the blaze, but officials have not released a definitive cause yet. The Gujarat government has pledged to look into safety protocols on commercial buses to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Families of the dead and injured have expressed shock and anger. “We are all devastated,” said one woman whose husband was among the casualties. “We trusted our bus company for safety, but it turned into a nightmare.”
The Gujarat transport ministry announced that it will review regulations on capacity limits and fire safety equipment for buses traveling across the state. In the meantime, authorities have called for tighter inspections and better training for bus crews.
This disaster has drawn international attention to roadside safety in India, where bus travel remains a common but risky mode of transportation. The incident is a stark reminder of the urgency needed for stringent safety checks and emergency preparedness on highways across West India.
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