Early on December 25, a container truck collided head-on with a private sleeper bus near Javanagondanahalli in Hiriyur taluk, Chitradurga district, Karnataka. The truck carrying beverages jumped over the divider and hit the bus traveling from Bengaluru to Gokarna. The collision caused a fire. Six people died: five bus passengers and the truck driver. The passengers who died are Bindu V, her five-year-old daughter Grema, Manasa, Navya, and Rashmi Mahale. The truck driver, a native of Uttar Pradesh, also lost his life. Twenty-eight others were injured. Many passengers, including the bus driver and his assistant, escaped by jumping off. An FIR has been filed against the truck driver for rash and negligent driving. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced ₹5 lakh compensation for families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for each injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared ₹2 lakh from the PM National Relief Fund for each deceased’s family and ₹50,000 for the injured. In a linked note, a private school bus driver, Sachin from Holenarasipur, safely carried 43 children near the accident site by avoiding further mishaps. Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said the fire started because the truck hit the bus near its diesel tank. He suggested reckless driving or fatigue as possible causes. Regular awareness programs are underway for drivers on night travel safety and rash driving prevention.