4 Burnt Alive, 10 Injured in Fiery Midnight Bus–Tanker Crash Near Chotila

Rajkot | Gujarat — A devastating midnight crash on the Chotila–Rajkot National Highway turned into a blazing death trap, leaving four passengers burnt alive and at least ten injured after a private luxury bus rammed into an asphalt tanker near Sangani village. The impact triggered a massive fire that engulfed the bus within minutes, forcing terrified passengers to smash windows and jump out to escape the inferno.

Officials say the bodies were charred beyond recognition, and DNA testing is now the only way to identify the victims.

Fire Spread Before Passengers Could React

The accident occurred around 1:30 am when the tire of an asphalt tanker burst, causing the vehicle to slow down abruptly. A high-speed private travel bus coming from Ahmedabad collided into the rear of the tanker. According to authorities, the collision triggered a short circuit in the bus, igniting a blaze that spread rapidly through the vehicle.

Chotila SDM H.T. Makwana confirmed the sequence of events.“The dumper’s tire burst and caught fire. The travel bus coming from behind collided with it, and the vehicle was engulfed in flames within moments. Around 35–40 passengers were rescued,” he said.

Sleeping passengers had little time to react as flames raced through the bus cabin.

Passengers Jumped Onto Burning Asphalt

Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic and chaos. Survivors broke window glass and jumped from the bus, some landing on hot asphalt spilled from the tanker. Several sustained burns on hands and legs.

Narendra Rathod, a BSF jawan from Limbdi, suffered burns while rescuing others. His brother said:

“Even after falling and getting burnt, he helped pull passengers out of the bus. He is currently posted in the Northeast and was on leave when this happened.”

The injured, including Vidhi Patodia (18), Narendra Rathod (50), and Nagaraj Rana (30), were shifted to Rajkot Civil Hospital for treatment after receiving first aid at Chotila.

Elderly Couple Feared Among Victims

Authorities believe Jabbarbhai Khinchi (60) and his wife Nasuben Khinchi (55) may be among the deceased. The couple had reportedly left Ahmedabad’s ISKCON area to visit relatives in Junagadh. Family members have searched hospitals in Rajkot but have found no trace of them, and their phones remain switched off.

Deputy Collector H.T. Makwana said,“The bodies are severely burnt. Identification will be possible only through DNA testing.”

The remains have been sent to Chotila Referral Hospital for post-mortem.

Locals and Firefighters Race Against Time

Residents near Sangani village rushed to help even before emergency services arrived. Firefighters battled the intense blaze for hours before bringing it under control.