Noida: At least nine passengers, including a woman, were killed after a private AC sleeper bus carrying around 35 passengers caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway near Jewar in Greater Noida late Wednesday night. Several passengers were injured in the incident.
The bus was travelling from Kashmere Gate in Delhi to Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh when the blaze broke out at around 11:00–11:30 pm near the 33-kilometre milestone of the expressway, according to police and fire officials. Most passengers were reportedly asleep when the fire erupted.
Fire engulfed bus within minutes
According to the preliminary police investigation, a spark or blast in the bus’s air-conditioning system may have ignited engine lubricating oil, causing the fire to spread rapidly through the vehicle. Officials have said that the exact cause remains under investigation.
Greater Noida: A sleeper bus carrying around 35 passengers caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway around midnight while travelling from Greater Noida towards Agra, the driver noticed the fire and managed to pull the bus over to the side of the expressway. However, the blaze… pic.twitter.com/eLfTHIt02G
— NextMinute News (@nextminutenews7) September 24, 2026
Several passengers reportedly noticed a burning smell before the fire became intense and raised an alarm. A police complaint alleges that passengers asked the driver and conductor to stop and check the source of the smell. Investigators are examining these allegations as part of the probe.
As flames spread through the sleeper bus, thick smoke filled the passenger compartment. Some passengers managed to escape through the doors and windows, while others were trapped inside.
20-25 passengers rescued
Gautam Buddh Nagar Chief Fire Officer Pradeep Kumar said that four fire tenders and rescue teams were rushed to the spot after information about the blaze was received. Around 20 to 25 passengers were rescued, while nine people were later found dead inside the bus. Their deaths were attributed to burn injuries and suffocation, officials said.
The injured were taken to Kailash Hospital in Jewar for treatment. Police were also working to establish the identities of the deceased and inform their families.
Driver and conductor arrested
The driver and conductor were taken into custody after the incident. Police have registered a case and are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fire, including allegations that warnings from passengers were not acted upon promptly.
Police are examining the damaged vehicle, statements from survivors and other evidence to determine the precise cause of the blaze and whether any safety violations contributed to the deaths.
Compensation announced
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences and directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured and assistance to the affected families.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh each for the families of those killed and ₹50,000 each for the injured.
The incident has once again raised questions about fire safety and emergency preparedness in sleeper buses, particularly the ability of passengers to escape quickly when a fire breaks out in a moving vehicle at night. The investigation into the Greater Noida tragedy is continuing.
