Nine people died in a Karnataka crash when a truck crossed the median, hit a bus, and caused it to catch fire.

A fatal crash on National Highway 48 in Chitradurga, Karnataka, killed at least nine people early Thursday, including the truck driver and several bus passengers, after a container truck crossed the median and struck a private bus traveling from Bengaluru to Gokarna. The impact caused the bus to catch fire, resulting in severe burns and multiple fatalities. A parallel school bus carrying 48 students collided with the burning vehicle but no children were harmed; its driver is assisting police. Authorities are investigating possible causes, including speeding and road safety, while Karnataka’s chief minister announced ₹5 lakh in compensation for each deceased family and ₹50,000 for the injured.