At least 20 people were burnt alive and 16 others seriously injured when a private bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire on Tuesday afternoon. The tragic accident took place around 3 pm on the Jaisalmer–Jodhpur highway.
The bus, operated by KK Travels, had only started service on this route five days ago. It has now come to light that the air-conditioned bus had been converted into a sleeper coach, which made it extremely difficult for passengers to escape once the fire broke out.
Eyewitnesses said smoke began to rise from the rear of the vehicle. Though the driver stopped the bus immediately, it was engulfed in flames within moments. “The entire bus caught fire in less than five minutes. People were screaming for help,” said a local shopkeeper who witnessed the incident.
The interiors of the bus were made with fibre panels and curtains, which fueled the fire. The strong glass windows and the narrow aisle further trapped passengers. When the electrical wiring caught fire, the only exit door at the front got locked. Some passengers managed to break windows and escape, but many were trapped inside.
An Army team from a nearby station reached the spot quickly and used a JCB machine to break open the door. A liquor contractor from a nearby shop also rushed to help, bringing a water tanker from the Army area to help douse the flames. However, by the time the fire brigade arrived—45 minutes after being informed—the bus was almost completely burnt.
The injured were taken to Jawahar Hospital, and 16 people in critical condition were later referred to a hospital in Jodhpur.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the tragedy and announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased. “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the Jaisalmer bus accident. My thoughts are with the bereaved families,” he said.
President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan also offered their condolences.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited Jaisalmer, met the injured, and instructed officials to provide the best possible medical care. “This is an unimaginable tragedy. The government will ensure full support to the affected families,” he said.
Helpline numbers were issued soon after the incident, and relief operations were launched immediately. The district administration has ordered a detailed investigation into the cause of the fire.
