5, including 2 kids, charred to death as Bihar-Delhi double-decker bus catches fire in Lucknow

LUCKNOW: At least five people including two children were killed when a private bus carrying around 80 passengers caught fire on the Kisan Path flyover along the Lucknow-Raebareli Road on Thursday. The incident occurred under the Mohanlalganj police station limits.According to police, the bus (registration number UP17 AT 6372) was en route from Begusarai in Bihar to Delhi when, due to unknown reasons, flames erupted inside the moving vehicle. The driver and conductor allegedly fled the scene immediately after the fire broke out, leaving passengers trapped, the police said.Upon receiving information, Assistant Police Commissioner of Mohanlalganj, Rajneesh Kumar along with police personnel and fire brigade teams, rushed to the spot.Rescue operations were launched promptly, with local residents and police breaking the bus windows to evacuate passengers.ACP Kumar said that preliminary information from survivors indicated that approximately 80 passengers were onboard. After firefighters extinguished the blaze, a search of the bus revealed the charred bodies of five victims.Police said that the deceased have been identified as Lakkhi Devi (55), wife of Ashok Mahato, Soni (26), daughter of Ashok Mahato, Devaraj (3), son of Ramlal, Sakshi Kumari (2), daughter of Ramlal and one Madhusudhan (21). All victims from Begusarai in Bihar.One person sustained minor injuries and is reported to be out of danger.Deputy Commissioner of Police, South Zone, Nipun Agarwal, said that police have registered a case under relevant sections and initiated a detailed investigation and a manhunt has been launched for the driver and the conductor. The situation at the site has been brought under control." A short circuit occurred inside the sleeper bus leading to a fire," DCP said.