Bhubaneswar, March 21 -- A major fire broke out in a private passenger bus travelling from Bhubaneswar to Malkangiri in the early hours of Saturday near Rambhadrapuram in Andhra Pradesh, close to the Odisha border, triggering panic among passengers.

The incident occurred at around 3:00 AM when the bus suddenly caught fire, reportedly due to a suspected short circuit. According to preliminary information, the flames spread rapidly, engulfing the vehicle within minutes and filling it with thick smoke.

Eyewitnesses said passengers rushed out of the bus in panic as the fire intensified. Among those on board was Malkangiri MLA Mangu Khila. All 35 passengers, including the legislator, were safely evacuated without any injuries. The prompt res...