Admitted to Jodhpur Hospital, Most of the Critically Injured Passengers have Sustained Burns of up to 70% 

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At least 20 passengers were burnt alive after an air-conditioned sleeper bus traveling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire near Thaiyat village on Tuesday (October 14, 2025) afternoon. The incident also left 16 people critically injured and hospitalized.

The police said that the bus was carrying 57 passengers and had left Jaisalmer around 3 PM.

The Deadly Accident

According to the news agency PTI, smoke started coming out from the back of the bus on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway. The driver immediately pulled over, but soon, flames covered the entire bus. It appears that the fire broke out due to a short circuit, according to witnesses. However, the real cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained. 

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The flames reportedly erupted from the rear section of the bus as it was crossing the war museum, about 20 km from Jaisalmer. Locals and passers-by rushed to the spot and assisted in the rescue efforts. Army personnel also assisted in the operation.

According to eyewitness accounts, several passengers jumped out of the moving vehicle in a desperate attempt to escape the blaze. 

Municipal Council Fire Officer Krishnapal Singh Rathore said that the vehicle was completely engulfed in flames when the fire brigade arrived. “Though the fire was doused by our team, 10 to 12 passengers are feared to have been burnt alive,” Mr. Rathore said.

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BJP MLA from Pokran Pratap Puri informed PTI that while 19 passengers died in the bus, one person succumbed to burn injuries on the way to Jodhpur.

Victims Still Battling with Death

The police added that 16 critically injured passengers were taken to the Jawahar Government Hospital in Jaisalmer and later referred to Jodhpur. Most of them are said to have sustained burns of up to 70%. 

PM Announces Compensation

Upon receiving information regarding the incident, Rajasthan chief minister Bhajanlal Sharma reached Jaisalmer and was briefed by the officers, according to PTI.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief following the incident and announced an ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each for the kin of the deceased victims and Rs. 50,000 each to the injured.

President Droupadi Murmu said in a post on X, “The news of the deaths of several people due to a fire in a bus in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured”.

Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma expressed deep sorrow over the incident and canceled all engagements in Jaipur. Accompanied by the Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar, the CM left for Jaisalmer by a special plane to visit the site. 

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The bodies of the deceased remained inside the vehicle till late evening, as rescue efforts were delayed due to intense heat. This accident highlights road safety challenges and the need for stricter safety measures for passenger transport in India.