At least seven people died and 40 others were rushed to hospital after two buses collided on National Highway 48 near Surat in Gujarat on Thursday, with one vehicle catching fire on impact. Emergency services arrived at the scene within 20 minutes, but survivors described a rapid spread of flames that left several passengers trapped. The accident occurred around 7:15 a.m. during the early morning commute, a period when highways in the region typically see heavy traffic. Gujarat's Road Transport Authority confirmed the collision involved a state-run bus and a private coach travelling in opposite directions.
Collision Scene Described as Hellish
Eyewitnesses at the site told reporters the impact was so forceful that one bus overturned onto its side before erupting in flames. Locals from nearby villages rushed to the highway with water and basic rescue tools before fire brigades could cut through the morning traffic. A resident of the Dabhoda area, identified as Rajesh Patel, said he saw at least five people crawling out of windows as black smoke billowed across the road. Gujarat's fire department dispatched three units from Surat city and one from Navsari to contain the blaze, which took nearly 40 minutes to bring under control.
Injured Taken to Multiple Hospitals Across Surat
The 40 injured were distributed among three hospitals in Surat — New Civil Hospital, SMIMER Hospital, and a private facility on Ghoddod Road. Hospital officials said five of the victims were in critical condition with severe burn wounds, while others suffered fractures and smoke inhalation. Dr. Priya Sharma, a trauma surgeon at New Civil Hospital, told journalists outside the emergency ward that admissions were still ongoing as the night shift staff worked to stabilise the worst cases. The Gujarat government announced it would bear the medical costs of all patients admitted through the state health scheme.
State Government Response and Compensation
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited New Civil Hospital on Thursday afternoon and spoke with relatives of those killed. His office confirmed an initial compensation of ₹5 lakh per victim would be released from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. The state transport minister, Raghav Patel, ordered an immediate inquiry and said the findings would be submitted within 15 days. A panel led by the district collector of Surat will investigate whether brake failure, driver fatigue, or road conditions contributed to the crash.
NH-48 Accident Record Raises Alarm
Thursday's crash adds to a grim tally on National Highway 48, which runs through Surat and connects Gujarat to Maharashtra. Road safety data from the Gujarat Traffic Police shows the highway corridor recorded 23 fatal accidents in the first six months of this year alone. Speed limit violations and overloading remain the most commonly cited causes. Survivors from the crash said one of the buses appeared to be travelling well above the prescribed speed for the stretch, which passes through industrial zones and residential outskirts.
Bus Companies Deny Responsibility as Probe Begins
The state-run Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation identified its bus as Route 14, heading towards Navsari at the time of the collision. GSRTC managing director Kiran Solanki said initial telematics data showed the corporation bus was within the speed limit, and suggested the private coach may have crossed into the wrong lane. The private bus company, which has not been named pending the inquiry, rejected the claim and said its driver had 12 years of experience with no prior incidents. Police have seized the vehicle logbooks and are reviewing CCTV footage from two highway cameras positioned roughly 500 metres from the crash site.
Community Grievances Surface Over Highway Safety
Residents living along the Dabhoda and Kosad stretches of NH-48 have long demanded safety barriers and underpasses along the corridor, which sees a mix of freight trucks, buses, and two-wheelers sharing the road with pedestrians. A local village leader, Amrutbhai Gamit, said a written complaint submitted to the district collector's office in March 2024 calling for a median barrier on that specific section went unanswered. Thursday's accident has reignited those demands, with civic groups in Surat planning a protest outside the district collector's office on Friday.
What Happens Next
The Surat district collector is expected to submit a preliminary report to the state transport department by next Thursday. Police have registered a case under the Motor Vehicles Act, and both drivers are in custody pending formal charges. The Gujarat government has called for a statewide safety audit of bus fleets operating on national highways, with Transport Commissioner D. R. Mehta confirming the review will cover both state and private operators. Families of the deceased have been given until the end of next week to file compensation claims through the state portal.
