20 dead, 16 seriously injured in Jaisalmer bus fire

A horrific accident occurred when a moving bus caught fire near Thaiyat village on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway at 3:30 pm on Tuesday. The death toll has now reached 20. Fifty-seven passengers were on board, while 16 others, including three children, suffered severe burns. A short circuit is suspected to be the cause of the fire. The bus departed from Jaisalmer for Jodhpur as usual at around 3 pm. About 20 kilometers along the way, near Thaiyat village, smoke suddenly began to rise from the rear of the bus. The fire quickly engulfed the entire vehicle. Upon receiving information about the accident, authorities and officials rushed to the scene. The 16 people who were seriously injured in the accident were brought to Jodhpur by creating a green corridor, approximately 275 km from the accident site. Most of the passengers suffered 70 percent burns. An elderly man died on the way.

Eyewitnesses said the bus involved in the accident was brand new. Yet, it lacked an emergency gate or a window-breaking hammer, preventing most people from getting out. Many bodies were found piled on top of each other.

Upon receiving information about the incident, the Chief Minister flew from Jaipur to Jaisalmer by special plane, where he received detailed information from officials. The Chief Minister provided necessary instructions to the officials in the Thaiyat Army Area regarding relief and rescue operations. He also inspected the crashed bus. The Chief Minister stated that the state government stands with the families in this hour of grief. Sharma then traveled to Jodhpur, where he inquired about the well-being of the injured admitted to the burn unit at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, met with their families, and consoled them. He also directed them to provide proper medical treatment to the injured. DNA samples are being used to identify the deceased at Jodhpur’s Mahatma Gandhi Hospital.

Various claims are being made regarding the cause of the bus fire. Initially, it was suggested that the fire was caused by a short circuit. It is also being claimed that the fire started due to a burst AC compressor pipe. Locals say that the bus’s trunk was filled with firecrackers, which is why the fire broke out.

President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed their condolences and grief over the Jaisalmer bus accident by posting on X. They also announced financial assistance of ₹2 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 to the injured from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.

Regarding the accident, Leader of the Opposition Tikaram Juli accused the government of concealing the death toll in the Jaisalmer accident. Juli said that the continuous accidents in the state, from the tanker accident to the SMS Hospital accident, expose the government’s failures. He said that instead of fixing responsibility, the government always tries to hide the figures and cover up negligence.