Greater Noida bus fire: 9 killed, PM Modi announces ₹2 lakh ex-gratia
Synopsis
Nine passengers, including a woman, were burnt alive when a Delhi-bound double-decker bus caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida. A suspected AC system blast triggered the blaze. PM Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath have each announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia per deceased; the driver and conductor are in custody.
Key Takeaways
Nine people , including a woman, were killed after a double-decker bus caught fire near the 33 km milestone on the Yamuna Expressway , Greater Noida , on 24 September 2026 .
The bus was travelling from Kashmiri Gate, New Delhi to Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh with more than 30 passengers on board.
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire started from a spark or blast in the bus's air conditioning system , igniting engine lubricating oil.
PM Narendra Modi announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia per deceased and ₹50,000 per injured from PMNRF .
CM Yogi Adityanath announced a matching ₹2 lakh per deceased and ₹50,000 per injured from the state.
The bus driver and conductor have been taken into custody ; a case has been registered under relevant sections.
A massive fire engulfed a double-decker bus near the 33 km milestone on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday, 24 September 2026, killing nine passengers — including a woman — and injuring several others. Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the deaths and announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased, and ₹50,000 to the injured.
How the Fire Broke Out
The bus was travelling from Kashmiri Gate, New Delhi, towards Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh when it suddenly caught fire, falling within the jurisdiction of Jewar Police Station. According to officials, preliminary investigations suggest the blaze originated from a spark or blast in the bus's air conditioning system, which then ignited the engine's lubricating oil, causing the fire to spread with devastating speed.
More than 30 passengers were reportedly aboard at the time. Nine of them, trapped inside, were burnt alive in the blaze. Several other passengers sustained serious injuries after jumping out of the windows in a desperate bid to escape the rapidly spreading flames.
Emergency Response at the Scene
Upon receiving information about the incident, senior police officials, along with a rescue tender and a fire tender stationed at the Jewar Toll Plaza, rushed to the spot. Four additional fire tenders and a fire service unit were also dispatched and succeeded in completely extinguishing the blaze, according to officials.
Driver and Conductor Taken Into Custody
The bus's driver and conductor were taken into custody shortly after the incident, and a case was registered under relevant sections of law. 'A case has been registered under relevant sections regarding the incident, and both the driver and the conductor have been taken into custody. Further necessary legal proceedings are underway,' officials said.
PM Modi and CM Yogi Announce Relief
Prime Minister Modi expressed grief over the tragedy. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO), posting on social media platform X, stated: 'Distressed to hear about the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy on a bus in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Praying for the swift recovery of the injured.'
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath separately announced an identical ex-gratia — ₹2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 to the injured — bringing the total announced relief from both the Centre and the state to ₹4 lakh per family of the deceased. Investigations into the exact cause of the fire remain ongoing, and further details are awaited.
Point of View
A pattern that has appeared in multiple fatal incidents across Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in recent years. The optics of matching ex-gratia from both the Centre and the state are important, but the harder question is why roadworthy certification and fire-suppression mandates for commercial buses remain so weakly enforced. Until the regulatory framework catches up with the volume of long-haul bus traffic on expressways, no amount of relief money will break the cycle.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Greater Noida bus fire on 24 September 2026?
A double-decker bus travelling from Kashmiri Gate, New Delhi, to Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh caught fire near the 33 km milestone on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida, killing nine passengers — including a woman — and seriously injuring several others. More than 30 passengers were reportedly on board when the blaze broke out.
What caused the Yamuna Expressway bus fire?
Preliminary investigations suggest the fire originated from a spark or blast in the bus's air conditioning system, which ignited the engine's lubricating oil and caused flames to spread rapidly through the vehicle. The investigation is still ongoing and further details are awaited.
How much ex-gratia has been announced for the Greater Noida bus fire victims?
PM Narendra Modi announced ₹2 lakh per deceased and ₹50,000 per injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF). Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced an identical amount from the state government, bringing the combined relief to ₹4 lakh per family of the deceased.
Have any arrests been made in the Greater Noida bus fire case?
Yes, the bus driver and conductor were taken into custody after the incident, and a case has been registered under relevant sections of law. Legal proceedings are underway, officials said.
How was the fire at Greater Noida extinguished?
A rescue tender and fire tender from the Jewar Toll Plaza responded first, followed by four additional fire tenders and a fire service unit. Together, they completely extinguished the blaze, according to officials.
