Jaisalmer Bus Fire / 10-12 Feared Dead, 16 Injured as AC Sleeper Bus Engulfed in Flames

A tragic incident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon when an AC sleeper bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire near Thaiyat village on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur Highway. The blaze, suspected to be caused by a short circuit, rapidly engulfed the bus around 3:30 PM, turning it into a raging inferno, while passengers, in a desperate attempt to save their lives, jumped from the moving vehicle, leading to widespread chaos and injuries. Assistant Fire Officer Krishnpal Singh Rathore stated that 10-12 people are feared to have died in the incident, trapped inside the burning bus. On top of that, 16 passengers, including three children and four women, sustained severe burn injuries. Most of the injured are reported to have suffered up to 70% burns. The bus was carrying a total of 57 passengers.

Rescue and Aftermath

Local villagers and passersby immediately initiated rescue efforts, alerting the fire department and police. Three ambulances transported the injured to Jawahir Hospital in Jaisalmer, from where they were later referred to Mahatma Gandhi Hospital in Jodhpur for advanced treatment. Former MLA Rooparam Dhandev confirmed the severity of the injuries. Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and former CM Ashok Gehlot have been apprised of the situation. The district administration has issued helpline numbers for assistance.

Investigation Underway

The burnt remains of the bus have been taken into custody by the Army and moved to an Army hospital for forensic and DNA analysis to ascertain the exact number of fatalities and the precise cause of the fire. The incident has cast a pall of gloom over the region, highlighting concerns about bus safety.