At least 20 passengers were killed and 16 others critically injured after a private bus traveling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire on Tuesday, police said. The tragic incident took place near Thaiyat village in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district, according to PTI.
Bus Catches Fire Near Thaiyat Village
The bus, carrying 57 passengers, had departed from Jaisalmer around 3 pm. According to police, the fire is suspected to have started due to a short circuit.
Eyewitnesses reported that smoke began rising from the rear section of the bus while it was on the Jaisalmer–Jodhpur highway. The driver immediately stopped the vehicle, but flames quickly engulfed the entire bus before many could escape.
Rescue Efforts and Casualties
Locals and passersby rushed to the spot to help rescue passengers trapped inside the burning bus. Army personnel also joined the firefighting and rescue operations.
Officials confirmed that 16 severely injured passengers were shifted to Jodhpur hospital for treatment.
According to BJP MLA Pratap Puri, 19 passengers died on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries on the way to the hospital.
Leaders React to the Tragedy
Upon learning of the fire, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma reached Jaisalmer and was briefed by senior officials.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased victims.
President Droupadi Murmu also condoled the deaths, calling the incident “extremely heartbreaking.”
“The news of several people dying due to a fire in a bus in Jaisalmer is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” President Murmu said in a post on X.
