In a gruesome mishap on Tuesday evening, a private AC sleeper bus on its way from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur was engulfed in flames near Thaiyat village, some 20 kilometers from Jaisalmer. According to reports, 20 passengers lost their lives, and 16 were critically injured in the Jaisalmer Bus Fire.
The bus, carrying 57 passengers, departed Jaisalmer around 3:00 PM. Shortly after crossing Thaiyat village, smoke was seen emanating from the rear of the vehicle. Within minutes, flames engulfed the bus. Passengers jumped from the moving vehicle in a desperate attempt to save themselves. Local villagers and passersby rushed to help, pulling survivors from the burning bus before emergency services arrived.
Casualties and Injuries
Officials confirmed 20 deaths, with 16 severely injured, among them three children and four women. The injured were first admitted to Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer, and the badly injured were then shifted to hospitals in Jodhpur for further treatment. Officials are trying to ascertain the identities of the victims, with DNA tests being conducted after it was found that they suffered severe burns.
Suspected Cause
Initial probes indicate that a possible short circuit at the back of the bus could have ignited the fire. The authorities are also investigating if the design of the bus, which had no rear exit, played a role in causing such a large number of casualties. There is a full-scale probe currently to ascertain the cause of the tragedy.
Official Responses
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma was deeply saddened and visited the site to supervise relief operations. He promised that required aid would be extended to victims and their families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered his condolences, announcing ₹2 lakh ex-gratia to the next of kin of those who perished.
District Collector Pratap Singh called upon the families to volunteer to identify the victims, while helplines have been initiated to facilitate information and counseling.
The accident has brought to the fore the need for more stringent safety regulations on public transport, especially on long-distance buses, to avert similar tragedies in the future. The authorities have assured a wide-ranging investigation and are examining safety procedures to avert similar mishaps.
