Fog Turns Yamuna Expressway Into Death Trap: 13 Killed, Dozens Burnt and Injured as Buses, Cars Crash and Catch Fire Near Mathura

Delhi: A chilling road tragedy unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday when dense fog turned the Yamuna Expressway into a deadly inferno, killing at least 13 people and injuring around 75 others in a horrific chain collision in Uttar Pradesh. The accident involved eight buses and three cars that smashed into one another within seconds on the Agra–Noida carriageway, before bursting into flames and trapping passengers inside.

According to officials, visibility on the expressway had dropped to dangerously low levels due to thick fog, leaving drivers with almost no reaction time. What began as a single collision quickly escalated into a massive pile-up as speeding vehicles rammed into the wreckage ahead. The impact was so violent that several vehicles caught fire almost immediately, turning the highway into a scene of devastation and panic.

Eyewitnesses recounted terrifying moments as flames leapt from one vehicle to another. Passengers screamed for help, desperately trying to break windows or escape before the fire spread. Many were unable to flee in time, getting trapped inside burning buses and cars. Within minutes, the stretch of the expressway resembled a war zone, with charred vehicles, thick smoke, and injured people lying on the road.

Emergency services rushed to the spot after receiving distress calls. Fire tenders, police teams, and ambulances worked for hours to control the blaze and carry out rescue operations. Firefighters battled intense flames while rescue personnel pulled out survivors from mangled vehicles and rushed them to hospitals.

At least 25 seriously injured passengers were shifted to hospitals in Mathura and nearby districts, officials said, adding that several victims remain in critical condition. Authorities fear the death toll could rise as some of the injured are battling severe burns and multiple injuries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragic loss of lives and announced financial assistance for the victims. “The loss of lives due to a mishap on the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, is extremely painful. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” the Prime Minister said in a statement.

The Prime Minister’s Office also announced ex-gratia relief from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, with ₹2 lakh to be given to the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 to each injured person.