The crash unfolded late Wednesday night when a Bihar‑registered bus carrying 35 passengers blew up on the Yamuna Expressway, trapping nine inside and leaving 20 rescued.
Sarvoday Bharadwaj, a 23‑year‑old from Greater Noida, said he last spoke to his parents at 10 pm before the blaze, and that their phones were switched off when he tried to locate them at 6 am.
Investigators say an explosion in the air‑conditioning unit ignited the engine’s lubricating oil, while the driver allegedly told passengers, "Won’t stop, don’t care if you die," a claim the bus company denies.
His mother sustained a fractured rib and eye injury after falling in the chaos, and Sarvoday demands higher compensation—he cites Rs 2 lakh as insufficient for his shattered home and ongoing uncertainty.
The incident adds to a string of transport tragedies across India, prompting calls from safety advocates for stricter inspections and emergency exit checks.