The accident occurred at Gorlathu Cross in Hiriyur Taluk on National Highway 48. A private sleeper bus, traveling from Bengaluru toward Shivamogga, was struck head-on by a lorry coming from the opposite direction. According to the police, the lorry crossed the central median before crashing into the bus, causing the vehicle to burst into flames almost instantly.
#WATCH | Karnataka | An accident took place between a lorry and a private bus near Gorlathu village in Chitradurga district on National Highway 48. Multiple dead bodies seen at the spot. Rescue operations underway. More details awaited
— ANI (@ANI) December 25, 2025
(Visuals from the spot) pic.twitter.com/1pcOboCYGq
The impact of the crash triggered a massive fire in the middle of the highway, trapping several passengers who were asleep in their berths. While emergency services and local residents rushed to the scene, the intensity of the blaze left the bus completely gutted, making rescue efforts exceptionally difficult.
VIDEO | Chitradurga, Karnataka: Over 10 people are feared dead in a lorry-bus collision on National Highway 48 near Gorlathu village in Hiriyur taluk.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 25, 2025
The bus, travelling from Bengaluru to Shivamogga, caught fire following the crash. Nine passengers reportedly escaped unhurt,… pic.twitter.com/dj75qIiIws
Details of the Incident
- Time: Approximately 2:00 AM – 3:00 AM.
- Location: National Highway 48 (NH-48), Chitradurga district.
- Casualties: 9 deaths confirmed; officials fear the toll may rise as several others have sustained severe burn injuries.
- Injuries: 21 passengers sustained various injuries, with several in serious condition. Survivors were rushed to nearby hospitals in Hiriyur and Chitradurga for emergency treatment.
Chitradurga Superintendent of Police (SP) Ranjith, who visited the crash site to oversee recovery operations, stated that preliminary findings point to gross negligence by the lorry driver. A case has been officially registered at the Hiriyur Rural Police Station, and investigators are working to determine if the lorry driver dozed off or if a mechanical failure caused the vehicle to jump the divider.
Traffic on the vital NH-48 stretch was paralyzed for several hours as recovery teams cleared charred debris. Authorities are currently working on identifying the victims, many of whom were burnt beyond recognition.
