Thirty passengers escape unhurt as sleeper bus catches fire near Nelamangala on Bengaluru outskirts

The driver reportedly fell asleep at the wheel, causing the bus to veer off the road and climb the divider, according to police

Bengaluru: Thirty passengers had a miraculous escape in the early hours of Friday after their private sleeper bus fell into a ditch and burst into flames near Nelamangala on the Bengaluru–Tumakuru highway.

The incident occurred around 1.30 am near Budihal Gate. According to the police, the driver of the Prajwal Travels bus reportedly fell asleep at the wheel, causing the vehicle to veer off the road and climb the divider.

The remains of the private bus that caught fire at Budihal Gate near Nelamangala on Friday.

As the bus moved onto the divider, it came into contact with a live electric wire. The contact triggered a spark that quickly ignited the vehicle. All 30 passengers managed to get off the bus safely before the flames spread.

The Nelamangala traffic police and Fire Department personnel arrived at the scene shortly after to douse the blaze, though the bus was completely gutted. A case has been registered at the Nelamangala Traffic Police Station.