Jaisalmer Bus Fire Tragedy: Over 15 Feared Dead

A devastating tragedy struck Rajasthan on Tuesday afternoon when an AC sleeper bus carrying 57 passengers caught fire while moving on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur Highway, near Thaiyat village. The blaze, which erupted around 3:30 p.m., rapidly engulfed the vehicle, leaving little time for passengers to escape.

Eyewitnesses reported scenes of chaos and panic as passengers jumped out of the moving bus in a desperate attempt to save their lives.

Initial reports suggest that over 15 people may have lost their lives in the incident. At least 16 others, including two children and four women, sustained severe burn injuries, with some suffering burns on up to 70% of their bodies.

The injured were first rushed to Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer and later referred to advanced medical facilities in Jodhpur, including the Mathura Das Mathur (MDM) Hospital and Mahatma Gandhi Hospital. Some victims have also been admitted to a military hospital for emergency treatment.

Jaisalmer Collector Pratap Singh confirmed the intensity of the fire, stating:

“The bus was completely reduced to ashes. Only charred bodies remain inside. Even after four hours, the vehicle remains too hot to recover the remains.”

A forensic team from Jodhpur has been dispatched to assist with the identification of victims and determine the cause of the fire. Preliminary reports suggest a short circuit may have triggered the blaze, though an official investigation is underway.

As soon as the incident was reported, local villagers and passersby rushed to the scene to help. The fire department and police responded quickly, with eight ambulances deployed to transport the injured via a green corridor on National Highway 125 for swift medical attention.

Dr. Vikas Rajpurohit, Superintendent at MDM Hospital, said:

“We have made emergency arrangements at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital. The trauma centre has been cleared and our staff is on high alert to manage the influx of patients.”

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar, who also oversees the Jaisalmer district, arrived at the accident site. The CM has taken a detailed report from the district administration and is en route from Jaipur.