Footage from new videos and eyewitness stories reveal a serious argument over a traffic ticket just before the bus fire at the Tripureshwor Chowk junction on Monday. The driver, Dawa Lama, a 25-year-old Tibetan man who was badly burned in the fire, is still getting treatment at Kirtipur Burn Hospital. Doctors have said he is in “critical condition.”
“The argument was tense just before the flames started”
In video footage from bystanders, you can see a heated conversation between the traffic police, Armed Police Force (APF), and the driver of the Riddhisiddhi Yatayat bus (Ba 5 Kha 4274).
“The traffic officers tried to fine him for supposed traffic violations and told him to move his bus from the main road to ease congestion,” explained police chief Jitendra Singh.
Lama strongly denied doing anything wrong. “I didn’t break any rules; I already said sorry for stopping briefly,” he said.
“I’m getting fined without doing anything wrong. We are working people. I’m ready to die. Do whatever you want,” the driver shouted, getting more upset in the video.
Just minutes later, flames shot up from the back of the bus and quickly spread throughout the entire vehicle near the Department of Passports.
Investigation Committee Formed. After the fire, police officials announced they would investigate whether the fire was started on purpose during the argument or if it was caused by a sudden electrical or mechanical failure in the engine.
Security forces cleared away the wreckage of the bus from the road, while utility crews returned to fix the damage to the power and internet services in Tripureshwor.