The bus, carrying 35 passengers, was travelling from Noida to Mahoba when the fire broke out.

Passengers tried to escape through windows

Most of the passengers were asleep when the bus caught fire.

Some of them reportedly tried to escape by jumping out through the windows.

A fire brigade team and police personnel rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation.

AC blast suspected to have triggered fire

Police said the initial probe indicated that the fire may have originated from an air conditioner blast, which allegedly caused the ignition of the engine's lubricating oil.

Preliminary reports also suggested that a short circuit may have triggered the blaze. However, the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

Yogi Adityanath expresses grief

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the incident in a post on X.

"The loss of lives in the tragic fire accident on a bus on the Yamuna Expressway is extremely heartbreaking and soul-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved families," he said.

"I pray to Lord Shri Ram that He grants place at His divine feet to the departed souls and bestows swift recovery to the injured," he added.