The PMO announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased passengers, and ₹50,000 each for those injured. Initial probe suggested a tyre burst might have led to the pre-dawn tragedy.
Published Dec 25, 2025 | 10:09 AM ⚊ Updated Dec 25, 2025 | 10:32 AM
Most passengers were asleep when the accident occurred between 2:30 am and 3 am on 25 December. (Screengrab)
Synopsis: The lorry veered off the designated track, jumped the median, and collided with the bus moving in the opposite direction. The bus caught fire on impact, killing several passengers.
At least 10 people were killed and many others injured after a private sleeper bus, which collided with a lorry, caught fire on National Highway 48 near Gorlathu in Hiriyur taluk in Karnataka’s Chitradurga early on Thursday, 25 December.
Nine bus passengers escaped unhurt after the bus carrying 32 passengers to Shivamogga from Bengaluru caught fire following the crash.
Preliminary reports said the Bengaluru-bound lorry from Hiriyur veered across the road and jumped the divider, resulting in the Christmas Day tragedy.
The passengers were asleep when the vehicles collided between 2.30 am and 3 am. Most victims were burnt alive, police said, adding that the injured people were undergoing treatment.
Initial investigation pointed to the possibility of a tyre burst, leading to the pre-dawn accident. Responders had a tough time since the bus was totally gutted.
Following the accident, the Office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased passengers. The injured will be given ₹50,000, also from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
“Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in the Chitradurga district of Karnataka. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May those injured recover at the earliest,” the PMO said in a post on X.
