More than 11 people were feared dead when a container truck hit a luxury sleeper bus on National Highway 48, near Hiriyur in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district early morning on Thursday (December 25, 2025).
The private bus was heading to Gokarna from Bengaluru via Shivamogga, when it was engulfed in flames after the truck collided with it from behind. A few passengers escaped by jumping out of the burning vehicle.
The local police reached the site and the injured have been shifted to nearby hospitals.
Initial reports point to over-speeding as the primary cause of the crash, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy told The Hindu. Transport Commissioner Yogeshwar and Assistant Commissioner Omkareshwari have been directed to visit the accident site and conduct a spot inspection to assess the situation and submit a detailed report, Mr. Reddy added.
