Chitradurga, Dec 26 (NationPress) The number of fatalities in the bus accident in Karnataka's Chitradurga has tragically risen to seven after the bus driver passed away from his injuries early Friday morning.

On Thursday, a sleeper coach bus was engulfed in flames following a collision with a container truck, resulting in at least six individuals being burnt alive and 21 others sustaining severe burns.

The bus driver, Mohammad Rafeeq, aged 42 and a resident of Shiggaon in Haveri district, was transported to KIMS Hospital in Hubballi.

He, along with his assistant, was ejected from the vehicle during the crash. According to police reports, Rafeeq underwent surgery on Thursday night but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries in the early hours of Friday.

From his hospital bed, Rafeeq recalled, "I was driving at a speed of approximately 60 to 70 km/h. My last memory is of a speeding truck colliding with my bus. I attempted to steer the vehicle aside, but another bus was in the adjacent lane. After that, everything is a blur; I don’t recall how I escaped."

Another passenger, Manjunath, is in critical condition with 30 percent burns and is receiving treatment in the ICU burns ward of Victoria Hospital in Bengaluru.

Authorities have announced that the charred remains of five passengers will be returned to their families pending DNA test results, which are expected shortly.

Identifications have been made, revealing that among the deceased is A.M. Navya, a 26-year-old software professional from Ekalenahalli, and Manasa, 27, a software engineer residing in Teggenahalli Layout.

Also among the deceased is Rashmi Ratnakara Mahale, aged 22, from Shirali near Bhatkal. Other victims include Bindu, 29, and her five-year-old daughter, Greya, from Girinagar in Bengaluru.

The truck driver has been identified as Kuldeep Yadav from Uttar Pradesh. A total of six bodies have been recovered from the scene, with five found within the burned bus and one from the container truck.

In total, 32 individuals, including the driver and conductor, were on the bus when the incident occurred.

The accident took place around 2 a.m. at Gorlattu Cross on National Highway 48 when a container truck, reportedly losing control, crossed the divider and struck the bus head-on.

Inspector General of Police (East) B.R. Ravikanthe Gowda stated that the impact likely struck the bus's fuel tank, leading to a rapid fire that engulfed the vehicle.

While some passengers escaped, many who were asleep became trapped inside.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

Authorities will conduct a thorough investigation to determine the precise cause of this tragic accident.