A Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) tourist bus was completely destroyed by fire in Kottayam early Wednesday (December 31, 2025). The Super Deluxe bus from the Malappuram depot was carrying 28 tourists, all from Malappuram, on a budget trip to Gavi in Pathanamthitta district. The fire broke out at Kunnathupuzha, Pazhayidam near Manimala. Passengers noticed smoke from the rear and alerted the driver. Everyone, including women and children, evacuated quickly and took their luggage before the fire spread. A Fire and Rescue team from Kanjirappally arrived after the bus was fully engulfed in flames. “The bus was completely destroyed, with only three tyres, the diesel tank and the battery remaining intact,” an official said. KSRTC arranged a replacement bus from the Ponkunnam depot so the tourists could continue their journey. A probe is ongoing to find the cause of the fire. Earlier this year, a KSRTC tourist bus to Gavi broke down and stranded passengers for hours. That incident led KSRTC to start strict vehicle checks for trips to Gavi.