J-K: Passenger bus catches fire after tyres burst in Ramban, no casualties reported
Ramban, July 16
A passenger bus travelling on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway caught fire near the Karol area of Ramban district on Thursday evening after one of its tyres burst.
All 52 passengers on board, along with the driver and helper, were safely evacuated, and no casualties or injuries were reported.
CRPF's 84th Battalion Commandant Vijay Singh Khatana said security personnel stationed nearby responded immediately after the fire broke out.
"An incident occurred in Ramban involving a passenger bus that was travelling downhill; a fire broke out in one of its tyres and subsequently spread. A CRPF picket from the 84th Battalion was stationed nearby. They immediately helped the passengers, and all passengers are safe. There were reportedly 52 passengers on board, and all of them are safe... The fire brigade and our water tanker together brought the fire under control. The best part is that no passenger suffered any loss of life or physical injury," Khatana told ANI.
Deputy Commissioner Ramban Mohammad Alyas Khan said the bus was travelling from Baltal to Jammu when the incident occurred.
"A bus carrying passengers, which was travelling from Baltal towards Jammu, suddenly caught fire after a tyre burst. All the passengers, along with the driver and helper, are completely safe. We are now shifting the passengers to another vehicle to continue their journey; everyone is safe," Khan said.
Firefighters, assisted by CRPF personnel, brought the blaze under control, while the passengers were shifted to another vehicle to resume their onward journey.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramban Arun Gupta said all passengers were evacuated in time before emergency teams brought the blaze under control.
"All passengers managed to exit safely and in time; they were moved to a secure location. Subsequently, fire tenders arrived, and personnel from Fire and Emergency Services, CRPF, district police, and civil volunteers worked hard to extinguish the blaze. The fire was eventually brought under control, though a fireman--Selection Grade Manohar Kumar--sustained injuries during the operation. As of now, there are no reports of injuries or harm to any passengers. A case will be registered, followed by a probe and scientific analysis to determine the cause of the fire," Gupta said.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. Further details awaited.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Another day, another bus fire on our highways. While I'm glad no one was hurt, this highlights the poor safety standards in our transport system. Tyres bursting at high speeds on hilly roads is a recipe for disaster. The authorities need to enforce stricter vehicle checks and ensure drivers are properly trained for mountain driving. A fireman got injured too - that's not acceptable.
The response time of the CRPF and fire brigade is commendable. Living in this region, we know how treacherous these roads can be. But honestly, more needs to be done - proper emergency drills for passengers, better fire extinguishers on buses, and regular tyre replacements. Thankful all 52 people plus the crew are safe. 🙏
It's a miracle no one was hurt. But let's be real - this happens way too often on Indian highways. The government should mandate automatic fire suppression systems in all commercial buses. Also, kudos to the passengers for staying calm and evacuating safely. Hope the injured fireman recovers soon. Safety first always!
Very relieved to hear no casualties. The Ramban area is notorious for accidents - these winding roads need better safety barriers and monitoring. I travel on this route often and have seen buses with worn-out tyres. The transport department needs to do surprise inspections. Good teamwork by CRPF, police, and fire services though. 🇮🇳
This is why I prefer trains for Jammu-Srinagar travel. But for those who rely on buses, this incident is a wake-up call. The bus operators should be held
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