Jaisalmer Bus Fire Tragedy: In a heart-wrenching tragedy, just a week after the Jaipur SMS Hospital fire claimed eight lives, Rajasthan has witnessed another devastating incident. A private passenger bus traveling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire near the Jaisalmer War Museum, killing 20 passengers and injuring 16 others, including women and children.
How the Incident Happened
According to officials, the bus had departed from Jaisalmer as part of its regular route. Around 20 kilometers from the city, flames suddenly erupted from the rear section of the vehicle.
Preliminary reports suggest a short circuit inside the bus might have triggered the fire, though a technical investigation is underway.
Eyewitnesses stated that the blaze spread rapidly, giving passengers little time to escape. “It was a horrifying scene — people were screaming for help,” said a local resident.
Rescue and Relief Operations
The fire occurred close to an Army area, prompting immediate action by Army personnel, who reached the spot and began rescue efforts.
The injured were first taken to an Army hospital, then shifted to Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer, and those in critical condition were later referred to AIIMS Jodhpur for advanced treatment.
Municipal Council Assistant Fire Officer Krishnapal Singh Rathore confirmed that the bus was fully engulfed when fire tenders arrived.
District Collector Pratap Singh said, “The bodies of the deceased are still inside the bus, and retrieval is delayed due to extreme heat. A forensic team has been called from Jodhpur for further investigation.”
Leaders React: CM Bhajanlal Sharma Visits Jaisalmer
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma immediately flew to Jaisalmer to assess the situation. Expressing deep sorrow, he posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“The incident of a bus catching fire in Jaisalmer is extremely heart-wrenching. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims. Officials have been directed to ensure proper treatment of the injured and provide every possible assistance.”
Opposition leaders including Ashok Gehlot, Tikaram Jully, and Govind Singh Dotasra also expressed condolences and demanded a thorough probe into the incident.
Control Room and Helpline
The district administration has set up a control room to assist the victims’ families and provide updates about their relatives.
Helpline numbers have been issued for information and support.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities suspect an electrical short circuit as the cause of the fire but have not ruled out other technical failures.
A forensic team from Jodhpur has been deployed to collect evidence, and the technical inspection report is expected soon.
This tragedy, coming just days after the Jaipur hospital fire, has once again raised serious concerns about transport and passenger safety standards across Rajasthan.