Tragedy on the Yamuna Expressway: Nine Killed as Sleeper Bus Catches Fire

On the night of September 23 2026, a private sleeper bus (registration BR32PA8647) operated by Raj Kalpana Travels was travelling from Kashmere Gate, New Delhi, to Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh. Near the 33-km milestone of the Yamuna Expressway in the Jewar area of Greater Noida, the vehicle erupted in flames, trapping passengers in thick smoke. Police and fire personnel recovered nine bodies—identified as burns and suffocation—while more than 20 passengers were rescued alive.

New Indian ExpressYamuna Expressway Bus Fire: Driver, conductor arrested after 9 dead in blaze; FIR says passengers smelled burning Yamuna Expressway bus fire: Driver, conductor arrested after 9 passengers killed Telegraph India'If you want to die, then die': Driver, conductor ignored fire warnings before Greater Noida bus tragedy that killed 9, says FIR 9 dead after moving bus catches fire on Yamuna Expressway near Noida airport The Indian ExpressFirst Post

The bus held a valid permit through October 26 2026 but was an aging vehicle with a history of traffic violations. It had 19 pending challans worth roughly INR1.75 lakh, including infractions for under-age drivers, retrofitting, fuel changes and permit requirements. Despite these issues, the bus remained in service, prompting officials to review enforcement mechanisms.

Hindustan Times

• Passengers on board: 35

'If you want to die, then die': Driver, conductor ignored fire warnings before Greater Noida bus tragedy that killed 9, says FIR

• Fatalities: 9

First Post

• Injured and rescued: 20+ (several treated for burns)

ThePrint

• Pending traffic challans: 19, total ? INR1.75 lakh

Hindustan Times

• Permit validity: up to October 26 2026

Hindustan Times

• Incident location: 33 km on the Yamuna Expressway (Jewar area)

Telegraph India

Chief Fire Officer Pradeep Kumar led the emergency response, directing fire tenders and rescue teams to the site. Additional District Magistrate Ajeet Kumar Singh said the fire was caused by a short circuit, while fire officials suggested a spark or blast in the air-conditioning system ignited engine oil.

ThePrint

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed “distress” over the loss of life and announced an ex-gratia of INR2 lakh per deceased and INR50,000 per injured person from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. President Droupadi Murmu described the incident as “extremely painful” and offered condolences. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured and to provide financial assistance of INR2 lakh to each victim’s family, mirroring the Prime Minister’s relief package.

9 killed in Jewar bus fire: Driver, helper ignored passengers' warning of burning smell, kept smoking

Survivors described a chaotic evacuation. Rekha, a passenger, recounted, “The bus was stopped and passengers were jumping out of the bus to save themselves. I managed to escape and fell on the road.” Witnesses said the driver and conductor continued smoking bidis and cigarettes despite passenger warnings about a burning smell.

9 dead in UP bus fire; driver was smoking, ignored burning smell, say passengers

The precise ignition source remains disputed. Fire officials point to a spark or blast in the air-conditioning system, whereas the district magistrate attributes the fire to a short circuit. The investigation continues to examine the bus’s electrical and mechanical systems and possible safety-protocol breaches by the driver and conductor.

ThePrint

• “A bus was going from Kashmiri Gate, New Delhi, to Mahoba at night and caught fire near Jewar. Four fire tenders and rescue teams reached the spot and evacuated 20-25 passengers safely. Nine people died due to suffocation and fire injuries. A case has been registered, and the driver and conductor have been arrested. Further investigation is underway,” — Fire Officer Pradeep Kumar

Yamuna Expressway bus fire: Driver, conductor arrested after 9 passengers killed

• “This bus has nine challans in Delhi, mostly for overspeeding and improper parking,” — K Ramesh, DCP Traffic Central Range

Hindustan Times

• “The bus was stopped and passengers were jumping out of the bus to save themselves. I managed to escape and fell on the road,” — Rekha, passenger

ThePrint

• “By the time the driver stopped the vehicle, the fire broke out and quickly engulfed the vehicle. There were 35 passengers onboard. Nine people, including a woman, failed to escape,” — Ajeet Kumar Singh, Additional District Magistrate

Hindustan Times