📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / SatyaChaudharyy
Automobile
Nine killed in Delhi‑Mahoba sleeper bus fire, prompting safety overhaul
✍️ The Economic Times
🗓 28 Sep 2026, 03:46 AM
👁 6
A sleeper bus traveling from Delhi to Mahoba caught fire, killing nine passengers and raising concerns over retrofitting and overloading practices.
A sleeper bus on the Delhi‑Mahoba route erupted in flames, resulting in the deaths of nine passengers. Emergency services reached the scene quickly, but the blaze spread rapidly, leaving little chance for rescue.
Preliminary observations suggest that the fire may have been exacerbated by improper retrofitting of electrical components and possible overloading of the vehicle. Such modifications, if not performed to safety standards, can create fire hazards, especially in confined sleeper cabins.
State transport authorities have launched an investigation and announced a review of existing safety protocols for long‑distance sleeper buses. Officials warned that operators must adhere to strict guidelines on electrical upgrades and passenger limits.
The incident has reignited a broader debate on the safety of sleeper buses across the country, with consumer groups urging the government to enforce mandatory inspections and certify retrofitting work before vehicles are cleared for service.
Preliminary observations suggest that the fire may have been exacerbated by improper retrofitting of electrical components and possible overloading of the vehicle. Such modifications, if not performed to safety standards, can create fire hazards, especially in confined sleeper cabins.
State transport authorities have launched an investigation and announced a review of existing safety protocols for long‑distance sleeper buses. Officials warned that operators must adhere to strict guidelines on electrical upgrades and passenger limits.
The incident has reignited a broader debate on the safety of sleeper buses across the country, with consumer groups urging the government to enforce mandatory inspections and certify retrofitting work before vehicles are cleared for service.