In the early hours of Saturday, tragedy struck a group of 64 pilgrims when their bus suddenly caught fire on the Kundli-Manesar-Palwal (KMP) Expressway in Nuh, Haryana. The devastating incident resulted in the deaths of ten individuals, while many others sustained burn injuries. This group of devotees, including women and children, were on their way back from a spiritual journey to the sacred sites of Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh when the catastrophe occurred around 2 am.

Local residents of the area first noticed the flames engulfing the moving bus and bravely chased it down to alert the driver. Despite their efforts, the bus continued moving initially. According to reports, the driver was hesitant to stop because he mistook the concerned bikers for robbers, prompting him to further accelerate. It was only when the perilous reality of the fire became undeniable that he took drastic action to escape by breaking a window and jumping out.

The bystanders not only played a crucial role in alerting the driver but also in notifying the police and fire services, prompting an immediate emergency response. Those injured were promptly taken to Nuh Medical College for medical attention. The survivors, many of whom are from Punjab and Chandigarh, recounted the terrifying moments, noting that the door was shut and obscured their view, making it impossible to see how the fire had started.

After the flames had been extinguished and the immediate rescue operations concluded, the survivors of the horrific bus fire near Tauru, in Haryana’s Nuh district, began sharing their harrowing experiences. Many were astonished to have survived the ordeal, which unfolded in the dead of night on the KMP Expressway.

One of the survivors, still visibly shaken, recounted the terrifying moments that ensued after they became aware of the fire. “We started running towards the door but the door was locked from outside then all decided to jump out of the window to save themselves. Around 64 passengers were onboard the bus. We have not been able to know the whereabouts of our family members.” This statement underscores the chaos and confusion as the passengers scrambled to escape the engulfed vehicle, many losing contact with their loved ones in the process.

Another survivor provided a heart-wrenching account of the incident, highlighting the role of the bikers who initially spotted the fire. “We were coming from Vrindavan, we did not know how the fire started. Bikers told us that the bus was on fire. The driver fled after smashing the window and jumping out of it. The one who saved us died inside the bus. 10 of our people have died while many have suffered burn injuries.” This testimony paints a grim picture of the tragedy, noting the loss of life and the bravery of those who attempted to help, including an individual who tragically perished while aiding others.

In the aftermath of the tragic bus fire in Nuh, Haryana, survivors are slowly coming to terms with the events of that fateful night. Forty-four-year-old Krishna Kumari, who sustained 20% burns, is currently receiving medical care at Nalhar Medical College in Nuh. Despite her injuries, her sense of relief at having survived is palpable. She shared her disbelief, stating, “I still cannot believe that I am alive.”

Further illustrating the chaos during the incident, 52-year-old Meera Rani recounted the malfunctioning of the bus's automatic door which became a critical obstacle during the escape. “We entered the driver’s cabin and jumped out of the window. Nothing was visible and we were unaware of how the bus caught fire,” she explained. This lack of visibility and information heightened the panic among the passengers as they sought to flee the burning bus.

The community and other passersby have been vocal in their praise for several individuals who were on the bus and made the ultimate sacrifice. These brave souls risked and even gave their lives in efforts to help others escape the blaze. According to survivor accounts, the bus's design, particularly the narrow path of the AC bus, significantly hampered the rescue operations, making the escape even more perilous.

The personal stories emerging from the tragic bus fire near Tauru, in Haryana's Nuh district, are heart-wrenching. Rakesh Sharma, a man who suffered unimaginable losses, endured the pain of losing his young son, his wife, and his 10-year-old granddaughter, Dhewati Jovita, affectionately known as Khushi. Amidst the chaos, Sharma was proactive in alerting the police, but despite his efforts and the arrival of emergency services, the outcome was devastating. As he witnessed the events unfolding, he was overwhelmed with grief. His granddaughter, caught in a dire situation, was screaming for help, trapped in a part of the bus completely engulfed by flames, which ultimately led to her tragic death.

In an extraordinary display of courage and familial love, Rakesh Sharma’s son, Gautam Sharma, became a beacon of hope during this catastrophic event. Gautam, who initially made it out of the bus safely, could not turn away from the desperate cries for help coming from the burning vehicle. Driven by a profound sense of duty to assist those still trapped, he re-entered the bus. His bravery shone through as he managed to save several people from the inferno. Unfortunately, in a heartrending turn of events, the fire rapidly intensified, and Gautam found himself unable to escape, ultimately leading to his tragic death inside the bus.

Rakesh used to take friends on pilgrimage for twenty years, did not know that he would lose his son and wife

In what was supposed to be a spiritual journey filled with devotion and fellowship, tragedy struck unexpectedly. A group of people from Punjab, comprising close relatives, had organized a pilgrimage tour that tragically ended in disaster. Last Friday, they hired a tourist bus to visit the sacred cities of Banaras and Mathura-Vrindavan. The bus was carrying 60 passengers, including women and children, all bonded by familial ties, embarking on a journey meant to deepen their spiritual connections.

However, the pilgrimage took a horrific turn on the Kundli Manesar Palwal Expressway in Haryana during the late hours between Friday and Saturday. The bus, filled with devotees, was engulfed in flames, leading to unimaginable loss and sorrow. The incident resulted in the deaths of eight individuals, who were burnt alive, a tragedy that has also cast a shadow of mourning over Punjab.

Of the eight victims, six were from Hoshiarpur, a town that has been particularly hard-hit by this catastrophe. Remarkably, three of the deceased belonged to the same family, underscoring the devastating impact on individual families within the larger community. These pilgrims were returning home after visiting the holy sites of Mathura and Vrindavan, places that are usually associated with peace and renewal, not with grief and loss.

For two decades, Rakesh Kumar, a devoted resident of Shalimar Nagar, Hoshiarpur, has been the heart and soul behind the annual pilgrimages for his friends and relatives. Each year, with unwavering dedication, he organized these spiritual journeys, fostering a sense of community and shared devotion. However, this year's pilgrimage, marked by a harrowing tragedy, ended in unimaginable loss. Rakesh's own family—his wife and his son, Gautam—were tragically taken by the flames that engulfed their bus on the Kundli Manesar Palwal Expressway.

In the immediate aftermath of the fire, the driver and conductor of the bus, in a desperate act of self-preservation, abandoned the scene, leaving the victims and survivors in a state of chaos and despair. The community was left to mourn without even the small solace of immediate assistance from those directly responsible for their safety.

Among the names of the lost are deeply cherished members of the community: Gautam, the son of Rakesh Kumar; Shashi Sunila; two women both named Sunita; Amravati Usha; and Sharda. The tragedy also claimed the life of a young soul, 12-year-old Yogita, whose future was cruelly snatched away in the blaze.

The loss has sent ripples of grief through Hoshiarpur and beyond, as families and friends come to terms with the sudden and painful departure of their loved ones. The yearly pilgrimage, meant to be a journey of spiritual renewal and togetherness, has been marred by this catastrophe, leaving behind a community bound together not just by faith, but now by shared sorrow.

The heartbreak resonates through every home in Shalimar Nagar and the surrounding areas, as they remember the vibrant lives lost and grapple with the haunting absence of those who had set out to seek blessings but never returned.

In the wake of the tragic bus fire in Nuh, Haryana, which claimed several lives and left many injured, the online community has been vocal about the need for a thorough investigation into the incident. Concerns have been raised over the possible causes of the fire, with many speculating whether it was a mere accident or if there could have been foul play involved. This speculation has been fueled by recent tensions in the area, notably an incident last July when Islamist mobs reportedly attacked a Hindu devotees' Shobha Yatra, an event that had heightened local communal tensions.

Netizens are pressing for clarity and transparency in the investigation, urging authorities to delve deep to ascertain the true nature of the bus fire. Their demands highlight the community's need for answers and justice, especially in a region that has experienced recent unrest. The calls for a probe are not just a quest for the truth about the incident itself, but also a plea to ensure the safety and security of all community members, regardless of their religious affiliations.

As the authorities proceed with their investigation, the community remains on edge, hoping that the inquiry will bring closure to the bereaved families and restore a sense of safety among the local populace. The incident has not only resulted in loss and mourning but has also sparked a significant dialogue on safety measures and communal harmony in the region.