At least five people were burnt alive and another sustained critical injuries after a moving car suddenly caught fire on the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway in Rajasthan’s Alwar district, officials said on Thursday.
The tragic incident took place late Wednesday night near Maujpur when the victims were travelling in the car, reportedly returning from a pilgrimage to Vaishno Devi. According to police, the vehicle caught fire while in motion, leaving the occupants trapped inside as flames engulfed the car within minutes.
Among those killed were three women, a minor girl and a man. All the victims were residents of Sheopur district in Madhya Pradesh. Due to the intensity of the fire, the bodies were charred beyond recognition, and officials said DNA tests may be conducted to confirm identities.
Police suspect that a short circuit may have triggered the blaze. Initial reports indicate that the car was a CNG vehicle, which likely caused the fire to spread rapidly, giving passengers little or no time to escape.
The driver of the vehicle managed to jump out after noticing the fire but suffered severe burn injuries, reportedly around 80 per cent. He was first taken to a nearby health centre and later referred to a hospital in Jaipur for advanced treatment.
Fire tenders were rushed to the spot, and the blaze was brought under control within about 15 minutes. However, by the time the fire was extinguished, the car had been completely gutted.
Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident. Officials are also examining whether any mechanical fault or fuel leakage contributed to the fire.
The incident has once again raised concerns over vehicle safety, particularly involving CNG-powered cars on high-speed corridors like the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. Stretching over 1,300 kilometres and connecting major cities, the expressway is one of India’s most ambitious infrastructure projects and sees heavy traffic daily.
Locals and officials expressed grief over the loss of lives, calling it a heartbreaking accident. The tragedy highlights the need for stricter vehicle safety checks and emergency preparedness on highways to prevent such incidents in the future.
