Eight passengers were killed and 11 others received burn injuries when a private bus caught fire in Bihar's Nalanda district today.
The fire was suspected to have been caused by calcium carbide, a combustible material used for artificial ripening of fruits, carried by a passenger on the bus, police said.
The bus was on way to Sheikhpura from Patna when it caught fire at 6 pm near Vishkarma temple at Harnaut Bazar, 50 km from the state capital, Superintendent of Police Kumar Ashish said.
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The entire bus was engulfed in flames, he said.
District Magistrate Thiagrajan S M said the dead comprised seven adults and a child.
The injured have been admitted to the Sadar Hospital at Biharsharif, the district headquarters, and are stated to be in stable conditions, the District Magistrate said.
Traces of calcium carbide have been found on the spot, the DM said.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed profound grief over the incident and announced Rs four lakh ex-gratia each for the families of the deceased.
The chief minister also issued direction to provide free medical treatment to the injured.
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