A major accident took place in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district on Tuesday afternoon. A sudden fire engulfed a bus heading from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur, resulting in over 20 fatalities with several more injured. The BJP legislator from Pokaran has confirmed 20 deaths so far. This horrific incident happened around 3:30 PM near Thaiyat village, approximately 20 kilometers from Jaisalmer.
Smoke Seen from the Rear of the Bus
Eye-witnesses report that at around 3 PM, a bus carrying over 50 passengers started its journey from Jaisalmer. Shortly after passing Thaiyat village, smoke was observed emerging from the rear, and within moments, flames engulfed the entire bus. Chaos ensued as passengers scrambled for exits, with many narrowly escaping through windows and doors.
Villagers and Passersby to the Rescue
Local villagers and passersby were quick to respond, launching a rescue operation on the spot. Using nearby water sources and sand, they attempted to control the blazing fire. Fire brigade and police teams arrived shortly after being alerted, taking nearly an hour to extinguish the flames completely.
'We Found No One Alive Upon Arrival'
Assistant Fire Officer Prithvi Pal Singh Rathore of the Civic Council reported that the fire brigade reached the scene in approximately 10 minutes. However, the bus was already charred beyond recognition by the time they arrived. He said, 'When we got there, unfortunately, there was no one alive we could rescue.'
With the help of police and local residents, all injured were promptly transported to Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer using three ambulances. Those severely burnt were referred to Jodhpur after initial treatment.
Source: aajtak
Compensation for Victims' Families Announced
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences regarding the Jaisalmer tragedy, stating, 'Deeply saddened by the loss of lives and property damage caused by this incident in Rajasthan.' He offered heartfelt sympathies to the affected families during this challenging time and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured. An ex gratia amount of 200,000 INR for each deceased victim's family and 50,000 INR for the injured will be provided from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.
Chief Minister Cancels Campaign in Patna
Following the accident, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma visited Jaisalmer. He inspected the wreckage of the burnt bus and appreciated the aid and assistance of army personnel and locals in the rescue operations, expressing his gratitude. Pokaran MLA Pratap Puri and MLA Sangh Singh Bhati, along with administrative officials, were present. As a result of the tragedy and its severity, the Chief Minister has postponed his planned campaign in Patna scheduled for the following day.
Former CM Ashok Gehlot's Condolences
Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot expressed distress upon hearing the tragic news of the bus fire between Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. He stated, 'I hope the casualties in this disaster are minimized, and I pray for the swift recovery of those injured.'
Authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of the fire. Preliminary investigations suggest a possible short circuit or overheating of the engine. Police have registered a case and initiated further investigations.
