20 passengers burnt alive, 16 injured as bus catches fire in Jaisalmer; PM announces ex-gratia
Public Lokpal
October 15, 2025
20 passengers burnt alive, 16 injured as bus catches fire in Jaisalmer; PM announces ex-gratia
JAISALMER: Twenty passengers were burnt alive and 16 were critically injured when a private bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire on Tuesday, police said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of deceased.
According to police, the bus, carrying 57 passengers, left Jaisalmer around 3 pm. On the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway, smoke began emerging from the rear portion. The driver stopped the bus along the roadside, but within moments, the flames engulfed the vehicle.
Locals and passers-by rushed to the spot and assisted in the rescue efforts. Army personnel also assisted in the operation.
Fire tenders and police were informed, and the injured passengers were taken to Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer for treatment.
Police said 16 critically injured passengers have been referred to a hospital in Jodhpur.
Prima facie, it appears that the fire broke out due to a short circuit, police said.
BJP MLA from Pokran Pratap Puri informed PTI about the death toll of 20 passengers. He said, "19 passengers died in the bus and one succumbed to burn injuries on the way to Jodhpur."
He said that the bus caught fire ten minutes after leaving Jaisalmer.
Following the accident, the district administration has issued an appeal for information to the kin of the victims to ascertain their identity. The bodies will be handed over to family members after DNA matching, officials said.
PTI
