In a devastating incident, at least 20 passengers, including three young children, perished when a brand-new private bus erupted in flames just minutes after departing from Jaisalmer on Tuesday afternoon. The fire, which authorities suspect was triggered by an electrical short circuit, rapidly engulfed the vehicle, leaving 16 survivors in critical condition.
The ill-fated bus, a sleeper coach acquired by the operator only 10 days prior, was en route to Jodhpur carrying 57 passengers when the tragedy unfolded around 3:30 p.m. near Thaiyat village, approximately 10 km from Jaisalmer city and close to an army station. Eyewitnesses recounted a scene of utter pandemonium as thick black smoke began pouring from the rear of the bus, forcing the driver to halt abruptly on the highway. Preliminary investigations point to a possible malfunction in the wiring system, exacerbated by the presence of firecrackers stored onboard, which may have intensified the blaze.
"The flames spread like wildfire," said Jitendra Swami, a local resident who rushed to the site after hearing screams. "People were jumping from the windows, but many were trapped inside. It was heartbreaking to see women and children with their clothes burned away, lying on the roadside in agony." Rescue teams, including firefighters and police from nearby stations, arrived within minutes, battling the inferno for over an hour. Nineteen charred remains were recovered from the wreckage, with the 20th victim succumbing to severe burns en route to a hospital in Jodhpur.
Among the deceased were families traveling together for a routine journey, including the three minors whose loss has amplified the community's grief. The injured, many suffering from 70-80% burns, were initially treated at Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer before being airlifted or transported to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Jodhpur for specialised care. As of Wednesday morning, 15 remained on ventilators, with doctors describing their conditions as precarious.
"This is an extremely heart-wrenching incident. I have directed officials to provide every possible assistance to the affected families and ensure top-notch medical treatment for the survivors," Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma stated on social media. The state government has announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh for each deceased passenger's kin and Rs 50,000 for the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi too has announced a Rs 2 lakh compensation for the victims' families.
