The Bihar-registered sleeper bus was carrying more than 30 passengers when it caught fire near Dayanatpur village. Survivors described a chaotic escape as smoke and flames rapidly engulfed the vehicle.
BY PC Bureau
GREATER NOIDA, September 24: At least nine passengers, including a woman, were killed after a Bihar-registered double-decker sleeper bus caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway near Jewar in Greater Noida late Wednesday night, trapping several passengers inside the rapidly burning vehicle.
The bus was travelling from Delhi/Noida towards Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh when the fire broke out near Dayanatpur village, within the Jewar police station area and close to the Noida International Airport. Police and local reports put the number of passengers on board at more than 30, with some estimates ranging from about 35 to 40.
Police said the fire was reported at around 11 pm on Wednesday, although some local reports put the time closer to midnight. The blaze spread rapidly through the sleeper bus, leaving passengers, many of whom were asleep, struggling to find their way out through dense smoke and flames.
According to the latest reports, nine people — eight men and one woman — died in the fire. Their bodies were sent for post-mortem examination and authorities began contacting the families of the victims. Several other passengers suffered injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals, including Kailash Hospital, according to local reports.
The escape turned chaotic as smoke rapidly filled the passenger compartment. Survivors said passengers were forced to scramble towards the exits, while some broke or jumped through windows to escape.
One survivor told reporters that he was asleep when another passenger woke him after noticing the fire. By the time he reached the exit, the bus was crowded with panicked passengers and visibility had almost disappeared because of the smoke. He said he managed to get out without even putting on his shoes and was pulled clear by another person.
उत्तर प्रदेश –
ग्रेटर नोएडा में यमुना एक्सप्रेस वे पर कल रात बस में आग लगी। 9 लोगों की जिंदा जलकर मौत हुई। यह बस नोएडा से महोबा जा रही थी। pic.twitter.com/zzCp0sbTss
— Sachin Gupta (@Sachingupta) September 24, 2026
Another passenger described the bus as heavily crowded and said escaping was extremely difficult because of the smoke and panic inside.
Firefighters and police teams rushed to the spot after receiving information about the blaze. Several fire tenders were deployed and the fire was brought under control after a sustained operation. Police and fire personnel subsequently searched the charred vehicle for victims and survivors.
The intense blaze also caused disruption on the Yamuna Expressway. Local reports said traffic near the Jewar toll area and Phaleda cut was temporarily stopped as emergency teams worked to extinguish the fire and secure the site. Traffic was restored after the operation.
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Cause of fire under investigation
The exact cause of the fire remains under investigation. A police officer quoted by The Indian Express said a short circuit was a preliminary possibility because the bus was air-conditioned, but stressed that the investigation was continuing to establish the actual cause.
There have also been local reports of witnesses hearing sounds resembling explosions or firecrackers as the bus burned, prompting speculation that combustible material may have contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze. However, there is no confirmed official finding that firecrackers or any other such material caused the fire, and that aspect should not be treated as established fact at this stage.
The bus was reportedly operated by Raj Kalpana Travels, and one local report identified it as Bihar-registered. Authorities are expected to examine the vehicle’s mechanical and electrical systems, its fitness and safety compliance, passenger capacity and the circumstances in which the fire started and spread.
CM Yogi directs treatment for injured
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences over the deaths and directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for those injured in the incident. He also directed the administration to extend all necessary assistance to the affected families.
The incident has once again raised questions about the safety of long-distance private sleeper buses, particularly vehicles carrying large numbers of passengers overnight. The circumstances surrounding the fire, including how quickly it spread and whether passengers had adequate access to exits, are likely to form part of the official investigation.
The authorities have yet to release a complete list of the deceased and injured passengers. Further details are expected after identification of the victims and completion of the initial investigation.
