Archive · 26 Sep 2026
India’s AC Bus Fires Highlight Need for Safety Checks
Two air-conditioned sleeper buses in India caught fire within about 12 hours.
One bus was travelling from Delhi to Mahoba when it caught fire near Greater Noida.
Nine people died in that fire.
On another bus in Pune, everyone escaped safely.
The Pune conductor saw smoke and warned the driver.
The driver stopped the bus quickly so passengers could get off.
People on the first bus said the crew ignored a burning smell.
The editorial says buses should receive regular electrical safety checks.
Two air-conditioned sleeper buses caught fire within 12 hours in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Nine people died when a Delhi–Mahoba bus caught fire near Greater Noida on September 23.
All passengers escaped a Pune bus fire on September 24 after the conductor noticed smoke.
Survivors alleged the Delhi bus crew ignored warnings about a burning smell.
The editorial calls for annual electrical safety audits and confiscation of buses that fail them.
- Who
- Passengers and crew members of buses travelling from Delhi to Mahoba and in Pune; nine Delhi-bus passengers died.
- What
- Two air-conditioned sleeper buses caught fire, killing nine people in one incident while all passengers escaped the other.
- When
- The fires occurred late on September 23 and early on September 24.
- Where
- Near Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh and in Pune, Maharashtra.
- Why
- The fires reportedly began in the air-conditioning units; the editorial also points to possible electrical-safety weaknesses and inadequate crew responses.
- Incidents
- Two AC sleeper buses caught fire within 12 hours.
- Fatalities
- Nine people died in the bus fire near Greater Noida.
- First route
- Delhi to Mahoba.
- Second location
- Pune, Maharashtra.
- Crew response
- The Pune conductor noticed smoke and the driver stopped the bus, allowing passengers to escape.
- Legal action
- Three crew members of the Delhi bus were arrested.
- Proposed measure
- Annual electrical safety audits for all AC buses, with confiscation of defaulting buses.