Shajapur (Madhya Pradesh)

A heartbreaking accident took place late at night on National Highway 52 in Shajapur, Madhya Pradesh. An AC sleeper Volvo bus belonging to Inter City Travels, travelling from Indore to Gwalior, suddenly caught fire. A four-year-old child tragically lost his life in the blaze, while several passengers were rescued only after windows were smashed open.

The incident occurred near Golwa, between Shajapur and Maksi, when the bus had stopped outside a hotel for tea and refreshments. Police from Tarana police station in Ujjain district rushed to the spot after receiving information. Preliminary investigation suggests that a short circuit may have caused the fire. The incident has once again exposed serious negligence regarding safety arrangements in passenger buses.

Muslim Youths Show Extraordinary Courage

As flames engulfed the parked Volvo bus outside Hotel Jain Path, panic spread among the passengers trapped inside. At a moment when many people stepped back in fear, six Muslim youths from Tarana — Rizwan Mansoori, Tauheed, Ayan, Raja, Sohail, and Arshan — risked their own lives to save others. Without caring for their safety, they jumped into the smoke and flames and rescued nearly 12 to 13 passengers.

The youths had gathered there to celebrate a friend’s birthday, but fate turned them into real-life heroes. While chaos and fear gripped the scene, these young men stood as a shining example of humanity and selflessness.

How the Fire Spread

The fire reportedly started in the engine section of the bus and rapidly spread through the vehicle. Since the bus had only one front exit, and the flames quickly blocked that route, many passengers became trapped at the rear end. Thick smoke, screams, fear, and confusion filled the air as people desperately searched for a way out.

Brave Rescue Operation

The hotel watchman was the first to notice the fire and immediately raised an alarm. Local people and hotel staff initially tried rescuing passengers through the front door, but the situation worsened within minutes.

As soon as the youths learned about the fire, they rushed to the scene. Seeing passengers trapped inside, Rizwan Mansoori led the rescue effort. The group climbed onto the rear side of the bus and smashed a window with stones. Battling intense flames and suffocating smoke, they pulled passengers out one by one.

“We Saved 12 to 13 People”

Later, Rizwan Mansoori described the terrifying experience:

“When we reached, the fire had already spread badly. The only door was engulfed in flames, and people were trapped at the back. I broke the window with a stone and went inside. There was fire, smoke, and unbearable heat everywhere, but saving lives was most important. The six of us together rescued around 12 to 13 people. My hands were burned, but we did not stop.”

The Most Painful Moment

About 20 minutes after the rescue began, someone shouted that a child was still trapped inside the bus. The youths were ready to go back in again, but by then the fire had become too intense to enter the vehicle safely. Later, it was confirmed that the four-year-old child had died in the fire — a moment that deeply shook the rescuers.

Public Praise for the Young Heroes

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Passengers, hotel staff, local residents, and eyewitnesses praised the courage and humanity shown by Rizwan Mansoori, Tauheed, Ayan, Raja, Sohail, and Arshan. People said these youths acted not out of duty, but purely out of compassion, faith, and humanity.

Local residents have demanded that the government officially honour these brave young men and recognise their heroic act at a national level, so that such examples of courage and humanity continue to inspire society.