Bus fire sparks panic in Ankara

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

DHA Photo

A 50-passenger bus that departed from Istanbul burned down just four kilometers from its destination of Ankara this morning, causing great alarm.

Though the blaze triggered panic among the passengers, no one was injured in the incident.

Witnesses said that around 50 people were able to exit the vehicle before the flames spread to engulf it completely.

A large number of firefighters were dispatched to the scene and the situation was subsequently brought under control.

One of the passengers, Betül Konurtay, said she and fellow passengers were terrified when they realized the bus was on fire.

“We were headed for a funeral in Ankara, we were nearly killed,” she said.

The passengers were then transferred to another bus belonging to the same bus company, while the road remained closed to traffic for one hour.