At least 20 people lost their lives and 16 others were critically injured after a bus traveling from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer suddenly caught fire on Tuesday afternoon. The bus, carrying 57 passengers, was on the Jodhpur-Jaisalmer highway when smoke was seen emerging from the rear of the vehicle. Despite the driver stopping the bus immediately on the roadside, the vehicle was engulfed in flames within minutes.
Locals and passers-by rushed to help, while fire tenders and police teams reached the site quickly. The injured were first admitted to Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer, and 16 seriously injured passengers were later transferred to a hospital in Jodhpur for advanced medical care.
Preliminary reports from the police suggest that a short circuit in the bus may have caused the fire. The Jaisalmer district administration immediately launched relief and rescue operations. District Collector Pratap Singh directed officials to ensure that all injured passengers received prompt medical attention. Helpline numbers were also issued for families seeking information about their loved ones. 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the incident on social media, saying, “Distressed by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.” He announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited Jaisalmer to inspect the accident site and expressed gratitude to the army personnel and local residents who helped in the rescue operations. Sharma also cancelled a scheduled campaign programme in Patna due to the severity of the incident. In a statement, he said, “The incident of a bus catching fire in Jaisalmer is extremely heart-wrenching. Directions have been given to officials for proper treatment of the injured and to extend every possible help to the victims.”
