At least 25 people have died in India after a passenger bus caught fire following a collision with a motorcycle in Nashik, Maharashtra state, early Sunday morning.
According to reports, the accident occurred when the motorcycle hit the bus, causing it to burst into flames almost instantly. Many passengers were trapped inside the vehicle as the fire spread rapidly.
Emergency services, including police and firefighters, rushed to the scene and managed to rescue eight injured passengers, but 25 others were confirmed dead before help could reach them.
A police officer told local media: “The bus was traveling from Surat to Pune when the motorcycle crossed into its lane. The fuel ignited, and the fire spread within seconds.”
Indian President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and ordered a full investigation into the cause of the accident.
Authorities also announced compensation for the families of the deceased and promised to strengthen road safety measures to prevent such tragic incidents in the future.