5 burnt alive as car catches fire on Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Alwar
Synopsis
A car travelling from Delhi to Kota burst into flames on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Alwar, Rajasthan, killing five passengers — three women, a girl, and a man — all from Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh. The driver survived by jumping out but has 80% burn injuries and is critical. The cause of the fire remains unknown.
Key Takeaways
Five people — three women, one young girl, and one man — were burnt alive on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Alwar, Rajasthan late on Wednesday night .
All victims were residents of Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh , and were travelling from Delhi to Kota .
Driver Vinod Kumar Mehar survived by jumping from the moving vehicle but sustained approximately 80% burn injuries and is in critical condition.
Three fire tenders were deployed; the vehicle was reduced to a charred wreck before the blaze was controlled.
DSP Kailash Jindal and SP Sudhir Chaudhary visited the site; the cause of the fire remains under investigation.
At least five people were burnt alive on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Rajasthan's Alwar district late on Wednesday night after their moving car suddenly caught fire, officials confirmed on Thursday, 1 May 2025. The sole survivor, the driver, managed to jump out of the burning vehicle but sustained critical burn injuries, according to police.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Kailash Jindal, the fire broke out around midnight near Pillar Number 115/300 under the Maujpur police station limits. The car was travelling from Delhi to Kota when it reportedly caught fire due to reasons yet to be established. Within moments, flames engulfed the entire vehicle, leaving the five passengers with no chance of escape.
Locals who witnessed the blaze immediately alerted authorities. The NHAI patrolling team and an ambulance reached the scene shortly after, followed by a police team from Laxmangarh Police Station led by SHO Nekiram. Three fire tenders were deployed to control the blaze, which had already reduced the vehicle to a charred wreck by the time it was extinguished.
Who the Victims Were
The five victims — comprising three women, one young girl, and one man — were all residents of Sheopur in Madhya Pradesh. Police are continuing efforts to formally identify each of the deceased. The driver, identified as Vinod Kumar Mehar, also a resident of Sheopur, managed to escape by jumping from the moving vehicle but sustained approximately 80 per cent burn injuries and remains in critical condition.
Driver's Condition and Medical Response
Mehar was initially rushed to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Pinan before being referred to Alwar given the severity of his injuries. He is currently receiving treatment at the district hospital in Alwar. Authorities have not yet commented on his prognosis.
Investigation and Senior Officials' Response
Senior officials, including DSP Kailash Jindal and Superintendent of Police (SP) Sudhir Chaudhary, visited the accident site to assess the situation and issue directives. Police have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the fire. The precise reason the car caught fire while in motion remains unknown, according to officials.
This incident underscores growing concerns over vehicle fire safety on India's expanding expressway network, where high speeds can leave little time for passengers to react in emergencies.
Point of View
With no chance of escape — pointing to a systemic gap in how high-speed road emergencies are managed. The cause of the fire remains unknown, but the pattern of cars spontaneously igniting on Indian highways warrants urgent scrutiny of vehicle safety standards and NHAI emergency response times. The driver's survival, albeit critical, was a matter of chance rather than design.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway in Alwar?
A car travelling from Delhi to Kota caught fire while moving on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway near Pillar Number 115/300 in Alwar district, Rajasthan, around midnight on Wednesday. Five passengers were burnt alive, and the driver survived by jumping out but sustained around 80% burn injuries.
Who were the victims of the Alwar expressway car fire?
The five victims comprised three women, one young girl, and one man, all residents of Sheopur in Madhya Pradesh. Police are continuing efforts to formally identify the deceased.
What is the condition of the driver, Vinod Kumar Mehar?
Driver Vinod Kumar Mehar, also from Sheopur, survived by jumping from the moving vehicle but suffered approximately 80% burn injuries. He was initially treated at the CHC in Pinan and later referred to the district hospital in Alwar, where he remains in critical condition.
What caused the car to catch fire on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway?
The exact cause of the fire has not been established. Police have launched an investigation, and the reason the car caught fire while in motion remains unknown, according to officials.
How did authorities respond to the expressway fire incident?
Locals alerted authorities, following which the NHAI patrolling team and an ambulance reached the scene. A police team from Laxmangarh Police Station led by SHO Nekiram arrived and informed the fire department. Three fire tenders were deployed, and senior officials including DSP Kailash Jindal and SP Sudhir Chaudhary visited the site.
