A tragic accident occurred in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer on Tuesday afternoon when a private bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire. At least 20 people died, and 16 others were seriously injured in the incident, police said.
The bus, carrying 57 passengers, left Jaisalmer around 3 pm. According to initial information, the incident happened near Thaiyat village on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur road, close to the War Museum. Smoke started coming from the back of the bus soon after it departed.
What Caused the Jaisalmer Bus Fire?
As soon as the driver noticed the smoke, he stopped the bus on the roadside. However, within moments, flames spread throughout the vehicle, giving passengers little time to escape.
जैसलमेर में भीषण हादसा: चलती AC बस बनी आग का गोला, 15 से ज़्यादा यात्रियों की ज़िंदा जलकर दर्दनाक मौत #JaisalmerBusFire #Jaisalmer #RajasthanNews pic.twitter.com/pp9xxxMsTl
— Amaresh yadav (@AmareshLive) October 14, 2025
Locals and passers-by rushed to the site and helped in rescue efforts. Firefighters and police teams reached the spot quickly after being alerted. The injured passengers were taken to Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer.
Officials said that 16 passengers with critical burn injuries were referred to a hospital in Jodhpur for advanced treatment. Eyewitnesses described the fire as intense, with the bus burning completely within minutes.
Cause of the Fire
Police said that the fire likely started due to a short circuit. “Prima facie, it appears that the fire broke out due to a short circuit,” an officer said. A detailed forensic examination is being conducted to confirm the exact reason.
BJP MLA Confirms Death Toll
BJP MLA from Pokran, Pratap Puri, told PTI that 19 people died on the spot, and one more passenger succumbed to injuries while being taken to Jodhpur. Authorities are identifying the victims and notifying their families.
Chief Minister and PM Modi Express Grief
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma reached Jaisalmer soon after the tragedy and was briefed by officials about the rescue operations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on X (formerly Twitter). “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,” PM Modi said in his post shared by the PMO.
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.
An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of…
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) October 14, 2025
He further announced financial help for the victims: “An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000.”
Investigation Underway
Police have launched a full investigation to determine how the fire spread so rapidly. Authorities are also checking whether the private bus company followed safety protocols.
Forensic teams will visit the site to collect samples and prepare a detailed report on the cause of the fire.
