Crowded Pilgrim Van Catches Fire After Contact with 11 kV Line in Haryana

A badly overloaded pilgrim van caught fire late Sunday night on the mini‑bypass at Gharonda, Karnal, after colliding with an exposed 11 kV electric wire. Witnesses said the wire was hanging too close to the ground, and when the van brushed against it, a spark ignited the fuel tank, leading to a rapid blaze. Approximately 70 worshippers were inside; most were seated facing the rear, which suffered the worst damage. One passenger succumbed to his injuries while more than twenty others were hospitalized with burns and shock. Medical teams coordinated ambulance transfers, and a senior doctor confirmed that the high number of casualties was aggravated by the dense crowd and limited escape routes.