KSRTC bus carrying tourists catches fire in Kottayam; all 28 passengers escape unhurt

In an incidental that has raised superior information concerns, a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) autobus operating a tourer work nether the Budget Tourism Cell was wholly gutted by occurrence successful Kottayam successful the aboriginal hours of Wednesday (December 31, 2025). All 28 passengers connected committee escaped unhurt.

The Super Deluxe autobus from the Malappuram depot was carrying a radical of tourists, each natives of Malappuram, connected a fund circuit organised by KSRTC to Gavi successful Pathanamthitta district.

Passengers spot smoke

The incidental occurred astatine Kunnathupuzha, Pazhayidam, adjacent Manimala, portion the autobus was en way to Gavi via Ranni. Passengers noticed fume billowing from the rear broadside of the conveyance and instantly alerted the driver. The passengers, including women and children, were instantly evacuated and were capable to region their luggage earlier the occurrence spread.

A Fire and Rescue Services squad from the Kanjirappally occurrence station, alerted by the Ponkunnam constabulary station, rushed to the spot. However, by the clip they arrived, the autobus was afloat engulfed successful flames. “The autobus was wholly destroyed, with lone 3 tyres, the diesel vessel and the artillery remaining intact,” an authoritative said.

KSRTC aboriginal arranged a replacement autobus from the Ponkunnam depot, enabling the passengers to proceed their travel to Gavi. A probe has been launched to ascertain the origin of the fire.

In April this year, a KSRTC Budget Tourism Cell autobus carrying 38 tourists from Chadayamangalam to Gavi broke down astatine a distant determination adjacent Moozhiyar. Though a replacement autobus was dispatched, it excessively developed a method responsibility soon aft reaching the stranded tourists, leaving them stranded successful the wood for respective hours. Following the incident, the corp introduced a caller protocol to guarantee the roadworthiness of vehicles deployed nether the Budget Tourism Cell for trips to the destination.