Fog causes buses, cars to collide in India, four burned to death

NEW DELHI: At least four people were killed and 25 others injured after a massive pile-up involving 10 vehicles led to a fire on the Yamuna Expressway in India’s Mathura early on Tuesday morning.

The accident occurred due to dense fog that severely reduced visibility. According to police, seven buses and three cars collided around 4:30 AM local time, triggering a blaze that engulfed several vehicles. Fire tenders were immediately rushed to the site, and rescue operations were carried out to evacuate passengers trapped inside the vehicles.

Mathura Senior Superintendent of Police Shlok Kumar said all the injured have been admitted to hospital and none are reported to be in critical condition. Of the four victims who died, three were travelling in buses, while one was in a car.

District Magistrate Chandra Prakash Singh and SSP Shlok Kumar were present at the scene to oversee relief and rescue efforts.

Mathura SP Suresh Chandra Rawat told news agency ANI that one of the buses involved was operated by the state roadways, while the remaining six were private sleeper buses. He added that the fire has since been brought under control.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the incident and ordered immediate relief measures. He announced an ex gratia payment of 2 lakh rupees each for the families of the deceased and directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured.

Officials said around 12 fire tenders and 14 ambulances were deployed at the site, and the injured were shifted to the nearest community health centre in Baldev.

Authorities have warned that similar accidents are likely during the winter months due to persistent fog and low visibility. A day earlier, a major pile-up involving 18 vehicles was reported on the Delhi – Mumbai Expressway, where near-zero visibility led to a passenger bus crashing into a dumper truck, triggering a chain collision.

Web Desk