- By Yashashvi Tak
- Thu, 25 Dec 2025 06:25 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Road tragedies continue to claim thousands of lives across India. According to data shared in Parliament on Wednesday, 26,770 people lost their lives in road accidents on National Highways during the first six months of 2025. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari also noted that 52,609 fatal accidents were recorded on National Highways in 2024.
Below is a list of the deadliest road-related tragedies of 2025 (January–December) with the highest reported death tolls.
1. Kurnool Bus Fire (Oct 24, 2025)
At least 19 people, including 17 adults and two minors, were charred to death after a Hyderabad-Bengaluru private Volvo sleeper bus collided with a motorcycle and caught fire near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district on NH-44 between 3 and 3:10 am on Friday, October 24.
The collision caused a fuel leak, triggering a massive blaze; the motorcyclist, Shiva Kumar of Kurnool, was also killed, while 39 passengers were on board at the time of the accident.
The driver escaped and helped several passengers flee by breaking windows, with about 20 people managing to jump out to save themselves.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured, while police registered a case and took the driver into custody.
2. Jaisalmer Bus Fire (14 Oct 2025)
At least 20 people were killed and several others injured after a private bus from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire near Thaiyat village on Tuesday, October 14, shortly after leaving Jaisalmer at 3 pm, when smoke was seen from the rear before the vehicle was engulfed in flames.
The injured were rushed to hospitals in Jaisalmer, with critically wounded passengers referred to Jodhpur, while rescue operations continued, Additional SP Kailash Dhan said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured, as Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the site and directed officials to ensure proper medical care and assistance.
Reports revealed the KK Travels bus had been converted from an AC bus into a sleeper coach with highly flammable interiors, overcrowded conditions, and a jammed front exit, which trapped many passengers as local villagers and passersby joined rescue efforts before authorities arrived.
3. Karnataka Bus Fire (25 Dec 2025)
At least 10 people were killed and over 20 sustained severe burn injuries after a private Seabird bus from Bengaluru to Shivamogga collided with a lorry that jumped the divider and caught fire on NH-48 near Gorlathu village in Chitradurga early Thursday, with the death toll feared to rise.
Of the 32 passengers onboard, nine escaped unhurt, while the injured were taken to Hiriyur and Chitradurga hospitals as locals shared videos of the horrific scene on social media.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences and announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the PM National Relief Fund.
4. Hassan Truck Crash - Karnataka (12 Sep 2025)
Eight people were killed and 25 suffered grievous injuries after a speeding truck rammed into a Ganesh immersion procession at Mosalehosahalli in Karnataka’s Hassan district on Friday, September 12, with the death toll feared to rise as several victims remain critical.
The procession was being held along NH-373 when the truck, heading towards Holenarasipura, jumped the median around 8.30 pm and crashed into the crowd despite police having blocked one lane and diverted traffic.
Villagers claimed the truck driver lost control while trying to avoid a biker, and the injured were rushed to Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences and nearby private hospitals about 20 km away.
5. Bhankrota Fire Accident - Jaipur (Dec 21, 2025)
At least 14 people were killed and 30 others injured after a Bharat Petroleum tanker from Ajmer attempted a U-turn early on Friday, December 21, on the Jaipur–Ajmer highway and was hit by a truck coming from Jaipur, triggering multiple explosions.
A sleeper bus behind the tanker and a nearby factory were engulfed in flames, several vehicles caught fire, and many people were either burnt alive or badly injured while trying to escape, as CCTV footage showed passengers running with clothes on fire amid continuous blasts.
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The bus’s main exit door jammed, trapping 34 passengers inside; rescuers pulled survivors out through the driver’s door, while 19 passengers suffered severe burns and many others were critically injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured, while Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma launched a special campaign to fix accident-prone black spots across the state.