Bengaluru, Dec. 25 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the injured in the horrific bus fire near Chitradurga, Karnataka, while Chief Minister Siddaramaiah called for a thorough investigation into the accident, which left over 10 people dead and several others injured.
The tragedy occurred at Gorlathu Cross in Hiriyur taluk when a private sleeper coach bus carrying 32 passengers, travelling from Bengaluru to Gokarna, collided with a lorry on National Highway 48. The impact caused the bus to burst into flames, trapping several passengers inside.
East Zone Inspector General of Police Ravikanthe Gowda said most of the deceased were burnt alive, w...