Bus carrying Vaishno Devi pilgrims catches fire, passengers escape safely

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: A bus carrying 38 pilgrims returning from the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi caught fire under mysterious circumstances while traveling on the Katra-Jammu road near Bayin Nala.
The incident occurred when flames suddenly erupted from the bus.
The driver immediately stopped the vehicle and ensured that all passengers were able to evacuate before the fire spread further.
Eyewitnesses described the terrifying moment when the flames were first noticed.
“We suddenly saw smoke and flames coming from the bus. Everyone was panicking, but the driver acted quickly and got us all out safely,” said one of the passengers. “We were scared, but thankfully, everyone got out in time.”
The emergency services were quickly alerted, and firefighters arrived at the scene to extinguish the flames.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the fire, with initial reports suggesting that a mechanical failure might have been the trigger. However, no official conclusions have been reached yet. Another passenger, speaking about the incident, shared their relief. “It was a frightening experience, but we are so grateful to God that no one was hurt.” Despite the fire, no injuries were reported, and the pilgrims were later provided with an alternate bus to continue their journey. Local authorities have assured the public that steps will be taken to improve safety checks on buses, especially those operating on the heavily traveled Katra-Jammu route. “We will be looking into the safety protocols and ensuring that buses are regularly inspected to prevent such incidents from happening again,” said a local official.