20 killed, 16 injured as bus catches fire near Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer (Rajasthan), : In a horrific tragedy, at least 20 passengers were burnt alive and 16 others injured after a private bus traveling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire on Tuesday afternoon.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have been triggered by a short circuit in the vehicle’s electrical system.
According to police, the bus carrying 57 passengers left Jaisalmer around 3 p.m. and caught fire barely 10 minutes into the journey. Witnesses said smoke was first noticed from the rear portion of the bus, and within moments, flames engulfed the entire vehicle.
The driver reportedly tried to pull over to the roadside, but the fire spread rapidly, trapping many passengers inside. Local villagers and motorists rushed to the spot and started rescue efforts. Personnel from the Indian Army stationed nearby also joined the operation to save lives.
District officials confirmed that 19 people were charred to death on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries while being shifted to the hospital. Several of the injured are said to be in critical condition and have been admitted to Jaisalmer District Hospital and AIIMS Jodhpur.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and directed authorities to provide immediate medical assistance to the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed condolences to the victims’ families and announced ₹2 lakh compensation each for the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured under the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.
Police teams, forensic experts, and the fire department have begun an investigation to ascertain the exact cause of the blaze. Preliminary findings indicate that a short circuit or overheating near the engine compartment might have ignited the fire.
Visuals from the scene showed the bus completely gutted, with rescue workers recovering charred remains and personal belongings from the wreckage.
The accident has sent shockwaves across Rajasthan, with several political leaders urging stricter safety inspections for long-distance private buses.
Authorities have set up a helpline for relatives of passengers to obtain information about survivors and victims.
This incident marks one of the worst fire tragedies in Rajasthan in recent years, highlighting once again the urgent need for stringent vehicle maintenance checks and enforcement of safety standards in public transport.