Eight passengers were killed and 11 others sustained burns when a private bus caught fire in Bihar’s Nalanda district on Thursday.
The fire was suspected to have been caused by calcium carbide, a combustible material used for artificial ripening of fruits, carried by a passenger on the bus, police said.
The bus was on its way to Sheikhpura from Patna when it caught fire at 6 pm near Vishkarma temple at Harnaut Bazar, 50 km from the state capital, Superintendent of Police Kumar Ashish said.
The entire bus was engulfed in flames, he said.
District Magistrate Thiagrajan S M said the deceased comprised seven adults and a child.
The injured have been admitted to Sadar Hospital.
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