20 passengers were burnt alive on Tuesday afternoon when a private bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur suddenly caught fire. The bus, carrying 57 people, had left Jaisalmer around 3 pm when smoke was noticed coming from the back on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway.

The driver immediately stopped the vehicle on the roadside, but the fire spread very quickly and engulfed the entire bus. Local people and motorists passing by rushed to help and tried to rescue as many passengers as possible. Emergency services, including fire engines and police, were called to the spot.

Sadly, 20 passengers lost their lives in the fire, and their bodies were badly burned. Initial investigation suggests that the fire may have originated from a short circuit. In a heartbreaking twist, officials stated that the bus had been purchased only five days before the accident.

15 people, including four women and two children, suffered serious burn injuries. Some of them have burns of up to 70 per cent. They were first taken to Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer and later shifted to Jodhpur for better treatment. To ensure quick transfer, a green corridor was created on National Highway 125 with the help of eight ambulances escorted by police.

The Jaisalmer district administration started rescue operations immediately. District Collector Pratap Singh instructed officials to provide urgent medical support to the injured and also issued helpline numbers for the public.
The District Collector confirmed that the bus was destroyed and that many of the bodies were unrecognisable.

To identify the deceased, DNA and forensic teams from Jodhpur have been called in. He added that, similar to the Ahmedabad plane crash case, the bodies will be handed over to the families only after DNA confirmation.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma visited Jaisalmer late at night and inspected the burnt bus.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. In a post shared by the PMO on X (formerly Twitter), he said he was “distressed by the loss of lives” and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
This incident has left the entire state in shock as officials continue to investigate how such a disaster occurred on a newly purchased vehicle.