Chitradurga bus tragedy, Rashmi’s story strikes an emotional chord

A bus-lorry crash in Hiriyur killed five, injured many. Six passengers, including Rashmi from Bhatkal, remain missing, feared lost in the wreckage

Hiriyur witnessed a devastating accident on Christmas Day when a passenger bus collided with a lorry, leaving five people dead and dozens injured. The collision, which occurred on the busy highway, claimed the lives of four bus passengers and the lorry driver. Out of the 33 passengers on board, many sustained serious injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.

Authorities revealed that several passengers remain unaccounted for, raising fears that some may have perished in the fire that engulfed the vehicles. Among those missing are Bindu, Manasa, Navya, Nasrat Hunnisa, Syed Jamir, and Rashmi. The uncertainty surrounding their fate has left families in anguish.

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Rashmi’s story has struck a particularly emotional chord. A native of Bhatkal, Rashmi was working as a software engineer in Bengaluru. She had taken leave to spend Christmas with her family and planned a short trip to Gokarna with friends before returning home. Despite her manager’s refusal to grant four days of leave, Rashmi set out on the journey, eager to celebrate the holiday. Tragically, while her two friends survived the accident, Rashmi has not been found. Her mobile phone remains switched off, deepening the mystery of her whereabouts.

Rescue teams continue to search the wreckage and surrounding areas, while hospitals struggle to treat the injured. The accident has cast a pall of grief over Hiriyur and beyond, turning what should have been a festive occasion into a heartbreaking tragedy for families awaiting news of their loved ones.

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