Tragedy on Yamuna Expressway: 9 Dead After Sleeper Bus Engulfed in Flames

GREATER NOIDA — A horrific late-night tragedy struck the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida on Wednesday, September 23, 2026 when an AC sleeper bus caught fire, claiming at least nine lives and leaving several others critically injured.

The private sleeper bus, carrying approximately 35 passengers, was traveling along the expressway when smoke began billowing from the rear end of the vehicle. Within minutes, the flames spread rapidly through the air-conditioned cabin, engulfing the entire bus in a massive blaze before passengers could escape.

According to eyewitnesses, the fire erupted suddenly late Wednesday night. High speeds and synthetic interior fittings caused the flames to sweep through the narrow sleeping berths in seconds, trapping many asleep in their cabins. Emergency calls were made by passing motorists who watched the vehicle transform into an inferno along the dark stretch of the highway.

Fire tenders and local police teams rushed to the spot, managed to douse the flames, and initiated immediate rescue operations. However, the intensity of the heat rendered early extraction nearly impossible.

"We woke up to heavy smoke and frantic screaming. The main exit was blocked by fire, forcing us to smash windows to jump out," recalled one survivor receiving treatment at a nearby medical facility. Officials confirmed that nine individuals died on the scene due to severe burns and asphyxiation. The injured passengers were rushed to nearby hospitals in Greater Noida and Noida, where medical teams are treating burns and smoke-inhalation injuries.

Preliminary assessments suggest an electrical short circuit in the bus’s air-conditioning system or engine bay as the likely trigger for the blaze. Local authorities have launched a formal investigation into the incident to inspect safety mechanisms, emergency exits, and compliance certificates of the private bus operator.

Road safety activists have raised concerns over sleeper bus safety standards, highlighting frequent issues with non-functional emergency hammers, blocked exits, and flammable interior upholstery. Local law enforcement has cordoned off the area to facilitate forensic inspection and clear the burnt wreckage from the busy expressway.