Breaking News
Pune Mini Bus Inferno: Four Dead, Ten Injured in Hinjawadi IT Park Horror
A tragic fire accident in a mini travel van near Hinjawadi Phase 1 IT park in Pune claimed four lives and left ten others injured early this morning. The incident occurred around 7:30 AM due to an engine malfunction, according to Senior Police Inspector Kanhaiya Thorat of the Hinjawadi Police Station.
Victims Trapped, Medics Race
The bus, ferrying 12 to 15 staffers, was rolling toward the IT hub when fire erupted near the driver’s seat.
- Fatal Jam: “The front door wouldn’t budge—some jumped, but four couldn’t,” said Senior Inspector Kanhaiya Thorat, Hinjawadi Police (Punekar News, March 18). The deceased: Subhash Bhosale, Shankar Shinde, Gurudas Lokare, Raju Chavan (Indian Express, March 18).
- Hospital Dash: Ten survivors hit Ruby Hall Clinic Hinjawadi. “Two have 40% burns—critical. One’s at 20%, another 5% and out cold. One’s stable with minor burns,” Dr. Sudheer Rai (COO) and Behram Khodaiji (CEO) told Punekar News. Five were DOA—dead on arrival (News18, March 18).
- Doc’s Plea: “Burns need fast, specialized care,” the hospital stressed, vowing support for grieving families (Hindustan Times, March 19). The driver’s among the worst off—clinging to life.
Firefighters Swoop, Cause Murky
The blaze didn’t stand a chance against rapid response—but the why’s still foggy.
- Flames Out: Fire crews doused it quick near Dassault Systemes, but not before the toll climbed (The Pune Mirror X, March 18).
- Probe On: “Engine malfunction’s the lead, but we’re digging—was it a maintenance miss?” Thorat said (ANI, March 18). MIDC and PMRDA are mum—no word on prior checks or bus history (Newsdotz X, March 18).
- X Buzz: “Doors jammed? That’s criminal neglect,” fumed @PunePulse—sentiment’s raw and loud.
Safety Gaps in Spotlight
This isn’t just a freak accident—it’s a red flag waving hard.
- Expert Alarm: “Regular maintenance, working exits—these aren’t optional,” a fire safety pro told TOI (March 18). Pune’s IT shuttles move thousands daily—lapses hit hard (Hindustan Times, March 19).
- Driver’s Clue: He’d slowed it down as flames licked up—did he spot trouble too late? Cops are on it (Rediff, March 18).
- Next Steps: Full investigation’s rolling—mechanical logs, safety audits, the works. Answers can’t come soon enough.
The Takeaway
The mini bus fire in Pune’s Hinjawadi is a stark reminder of the importance of regular vehicle maintenance and fire safety measures. The swift response of firefighters and medical professionals helped mitigate the tragedy, but the loss of lives and injuries highlight the need for stringent safety protocols. Authorities are urged to conduct thorough investigations and ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future.
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