Greater Noida – Late last night a sleeper coach caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway close to Jewar Airport, resulting in nine fatalities and a number of serious burn injuries. The blaze sparked an immediate rescue effort involving police, fire‑fighters and local administration.

How the tragedy unfolded

According to early reports, the bus had set off from Kashmiri Gate in Delhi bound for Rath, a town in Hamirpur district of Uttar Pradesh, carrying roughly 30‑35 passengers. Around 11:30 p.m., it was travelling north‑west on the expressway near kilometre 33 when occupants began to notice a strong, acrid odor inside the cabin.

Passenger Sunil Kumar, a resident of Rath, lodged a complaint stating that the driver and conductor were warned about the smell but the vehicle was not halted for inspection. Minutes later, flames erupted beside the driver’s seat and quickly engulfed the entire coach, giving passengers very little time to escape.

While a handful managed to flee, many were trapped and succumbed to the fire. A video circulating online shows the bus fully consumed by flames, causing panic among motorists traveling the same stretch.

Official response

Jewar police arrived promptly, securing the scene, retrieving the bodies and launching a formal investigation to determine the cause of the inferno.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s directives

Yogi Adityanath expressed his deep sorrow to the victims’ families and instructed all relevant agencies to provide immediate medical care to the injured and comprehensive assistance to the bereaved.

President Droupadi Murmu’s statement

President Murmu posted on X, describing the incident as “deeply distressing,” extending heartfelt condolences and wishing a swift recovery to those hurt.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s condolence

Rajnath Singh labelled the loss as “tragic,” offering sympathy to the families and urging prompt medical attention for the survivors.

Prime Minister’s financial relief package

Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his grief over the tragedy and announced ex‑gratia assistance from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund:

  • ₹2 lakh for each family of the deceased.
  • ₹50,000 for every injured passenger.

The funds are intended to help the affected families cope with immediate financial challenges.

“Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones. The government will ensure that those impacted receive the necessary support,” the Prime Minister said.