Bihar: 8 killed, 11 injured after bus catches fire in Nalanda

At least 8 people have been killed and a dozen injured after a bus catches fire at Harnaut in Nalanda, Bihar on Thursday.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed profound grief over the incident and announced ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the kin of deceased.

#Visuals from Bihar: Bus caught fire in Nalanda's Harnaut, Bihar govt announces ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh for the kin of each of the 8 killed. pic.twitter.com/TywtyIE7wQ

— ANI (@ANI_news) May 25, 2017

The fire was suspected to have been caused by calcium carbide, a combustible material used for artificial ripening of fruits, carried by a passenger on the bus, police said.

The bus was on way to Sheikhpura from Patna when it caught fire at 6 pm near Vishkarma temple at Harnaut Bazar, 50 km from the state capital, Superintendent of Police Kumar Ashish said. The entire bus was engulfed in flames, he said.

District Magistrate Thiagrajan S M said the dead comprised seven adults and a child. The injured have been admitted to the Sadar Hospital at Biharsharif, the district headquarters, and are stated to be in stable conditions, the District Magistrate said. Traces of calcium carbide have been found on the spot, the DM said.

With inputs from PTI.

ALSO READ: Uttar Pradesh: 4 killed, 15 injured after bus catches fire in Banda