Jaisalmer, Rajasthan | October 15, 2025:
A horrible accident that has led to mourning throughout Rajasthan occurred when a private bus, which was traveling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur, caught fire on Tuesday morning, killing 20 passengers who burned alive, and injuring 16 others who suffered serious burns. The incident took place, approximately 20 kilometers from Jaisalmer, near the Jaisalmer War Museum when the bus became engulfed in flames within minutes.
Blaze Enhanced During Travel, Cause Being Investigated
As the highway fire brigade is investigating, the fire was likely caused by a short circuit at the back of the bus, according to early reports. A team of specialists has started an inspection of the area.
“The bus was fully engulfed in flames when we arrived at the scene,” said Krishnapal Singh Rathore, Assistant Fire Officer for the Municipal Council, stating that smoke and flames greatly hindered their rescue efforts.
The Army’s Rapid Action Saved Lives
Because the event happened near an Army area, Army personnel were first on the scene and rescued a number of trapped passengers before local authorities arrived. The injured were treated first at an Army hospital, and then moved to Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer. The most seriously injured passed away including a number of women and children were transferred to higher level care facilities in Jodhpur.
Public Officials and Leaders Attempt to Get on Site
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma came to Jaisalmer shortly after the incident, and met senior officials in charge of the rescue and recovery area. He took to X and posted the following unfortunate comment:
“The event of a bus catching on fire in Jaisalmer is very heart-wrenching. I offer my great sympathies to the victims and their families. Directions to properly care for and support the victims has been given.” District Collector Pratap Singh said that recovery efforts to pick up bodies of those on the bus were delayed for hours because of the intense heat and that a forensic team from Jodhpur was called to help recover the bodies and identify the victims.
Political Figures Offer Condolences
The tragedy has received condolences from across the political agenda.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Leader of Oppsition Tikaram Jully, and Congress State President Govind Singh Dotasra expressed sorrow over the event, and called for a full investigation into the event to hold accountable people responsible for the lapse.
Control Room and Helpline Set Up
The Jaisalmer district has set up a control room and issued helpline numbers for families in order to trace their loved ones and to inform them of developments in the lives of the injured.
Upon hearing about the accident, families had gathered outside Jawahar Hospital, rushing to get information about their loved ones.
A week of tragedy in Rajasthan
As if this tragedy were not enough, it comes just over one week after eight were dead in a fire at Jaipur’s SMS Hospital when fresh concerns arose over mediical fire safety standards and emergency preparedness in the public and private medical facilities of the state.
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