BUS FIRES IN INDIA: 64 DEATHS SINCE 2021

NEWS –  Between January 2021 and December 10, 2025, India recorded 45 bus fire incidents, resulting in 64 deaths and 145 injuries, according to the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways. Karnataka alone reported three incidents, injuring 14 people.

HIGHLIGHTS

What the Data Shows

• 45 reported incidents nationwide (2021–2025)
• 64 fatalities
• 145 injuries
• Major accidents often linked to:
  • Overheating engines
  • Electrical failures
  • Fuel tank modifications
  • Rear-end collisions leading to fire

Mandatory Safety Requirements (As per Ministry Guidelines)

• Two fire extinguishers (10 kg capacity)
• Four exits (including emergency exits & window exits) for buses above 12 m
• Mandatory fire detection & suppression system
• Fire safety in engine & fire-prone areas
• Passenger–driver compartment not separated in most buses — increases vulnerability

What Experts Say: Systemic Failures

• Poor enforcement & weak regulation
• Low-quality sleeper bus construction
  • Unsafe composite materials
  • No crash testing in many private-built buses
• Hazardous modifications
  • Additional fuel tanks installed illegally
• Highly combustible interiors
  • Curtains, mattresses, partitions intensify fire spread

Driver Preparedness — A Major Gap

• Most drivers not trained for fire emergencies
• Lack of safety drills and evacuation training
• Panic and delayed response worsen casualties

Way Forward

• Stricter certification and crash testing norms
• Regular compliance audits
• Ban on unsafe structural modifications
• Mandatory driver and staff fire-safety training
• Real-time vehicle health monitoring
• Strong penalties for violations