At least nine people were killed early Thursday morning after a massive fire broke out on a tourist sleeper bus traveling along the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.

The incident occurred at dawn while most of the passengers were asleep.

As the flames rapidly spread through the air-conditioned vehicle, panicked passengers broke and jumped out of windows in a desperate bid to escape. Several others sustained injuries.

According to NDTV, the exact cause of the fire on the AC sleeper bus remains unknown.

Reports indicate that the vehicle was traveling from Delhi toward Mahoba in Uttar Pradesh.

Visuals from the scene showed the bus engulfed in towering flames by the roadside.

Emergency response teams rushed to the site to launch rescue operations, treat the injured, and recover the bodies of the victims.

Hindustan Times reported that the bus was carrying 35 passengers when the fire broke out late at night.

According to local police, the tragedy occurred near Dayanatpur village within the Jewar area of the Yamuna Expressway.

Authorities stated that rescue and relief operations are ongoing at the site.