Rajasthan Horror: 20 Passengers Burnt Alive, 16 Injured as Jodhpur-Bound Bus Bursts Into Flames Near Jaisalmer — Eyewitnesses Recall Terrifying Seconds
In a tragic highway inferno, at least 20 passengers were burnt alive and 16 others injured after a Jodhpur-bound private bus caught fire near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Barely a week after a horrific fire tragedy at Jaipur’s SMS Hospital claimed eight lives, on Tuesday, 20 passengers were burnt alive and another 16 passengers were critically injured when a private bus traveling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire.
Several of the injured, including women and children, are reported to be in critical condition.
According to officials, the bus had left from Jaisalmer as per its daily schedule and had reached near the War Museum, around 20 kilometers from the desert city, when flames erupted from its rear section.
The exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, though a short circuit inside the vehicle is suspected. Administrative officers along with a technical team have begun a detailed investigation.
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.”
Since the incident occurred close to an Army area, Army personnel were among the first to reach the spot and began rescue operations. The injured were initially provided first aid at the Army hospital and later shifted to Jaisalmer. Those in critical condition were referred to Jodhpur for advanced treatment. A large crowd gathered outside Jaisalmer’s Jawahar Hospital as news of the accident spread, while top district officials rushed to the site.
Upon receiving information regarding the incident, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma reached Jaisalmer and was briefed by the officers.
“The incident of a bus catching fire in Jaisalmer is extremely heart-wrenching. I express deep condolences to those affected by this tragic accident.
Directions have been given to concerned officials for the proper treatment of the injured and to extend every possible help to the victims,” Sharma posted on X.
Municipal Council Assistant Fire Officer Krishnapal Singh Rathore said the bus was completely engulfed in flames when the fire brigade arrived.
District Collector Pratap Singh said, “Sixteen injured passengers have been referred to Jodhpur. The bodies of the deceased are still inside the bus, and efforts to retrieve them are delayed due to the intense heat,” he added. A forensic team has been called from Jodhpur to assist in the investigation.
Expressing grief over the tragedy, Opposition leaders including former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully, and Congress State President Govind Singh Dotasra conveyed condolences to the bereaved families.
The district administration has set up a control room and issued helpline numbers to assist the families of the victims and provide accurate information regarding their relatives.
In one of the deadliest road tragedies of 2025, at least 20 passengers were burnt alive and 16 others sustained severe injuries after a private bus traveling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire early Wednesday morning. The horrific accident occurred on the Jaisalmer-Barmer highway, turning what began as a routine journey into a scene of chaos and devastation within minutes.
According to preliminary police reports, the bus — carrying nearly 45 passengers — was en route to Jodhpur when it collided with a fuel-laden truck around 4:20 a.m. The impact was so powerful that the bus’s fuel tank ruptured, triggering a massive explosion that engulfed the vehicle in flames.
Eyewitnesses described the incident as “a nightmare on wheels.” Within seconds, the entire bus was ablaze, leaving passengers with little time to escape. Locals rushed to the site with water containers and fire extinguishers before emergency teams arrived, but the intensity of the fire made rescue efforts nearly impossible.
Police teams, fire brigades, and ambulances from Jaisalmer and Pokhran reached the spot within 30 minutes. Firefighters battled the flames for nearly two hours before bringing the blaze under control.
“By the time we reached, the bus was completely charred. We managed to pull out some passengers, but many were already trapped,” said a local rescuer.
The injured were rushed to Jaisalmer District Hospital, while the critically wounded have been airlifted to AIIMS Jodhpur for advanced treatment. Officials confirmed that 16 survivors are being treated for severe burns and smoke inhalation injuries.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and announced an ex gratia compensation of ₹5 lakh each to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured. He has ordered a high-level investigation to determine the cause of the fire and assess whether safety violations by the private operator played a role.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended condolences to the victims’ families, calling the incident “heartbreaking and unacceptable.” Modi’s office announced an additional ₹2 lakh from the PM Relief Fund for the families of the deceased.
Initial investigations suggest that fuel leakage from the truck’s tanker may have triggered the explosion upon impact. Authorities are examining whether negligence or overspeeding led to the collision. Forensic teams have been deployed to collect evidence, and both vehicle drivers are being questioned.
Villagers who witnessed the blaze recounted scenes of panic and helplessness. “We heard a loud blast and saw the bus completely covered in flames. People were screaming for help,” said one local resident who helped rescue survivors.
This tragedy has reignited debate over road safety standards and emergency preparedness in India, particularly in Rajasthan, which has witnessed a rise in fatal bus accidents due to poor vehicle maintenance and reckless driving. According to government data, over 1.5 lakh people die in road accidents every year in India, with many fatalities caused by preventable negligence.
Authorities have urged transport companies to enforce strict vehicle safety checks, including fuel systems and emergency exits, to prevent such catastrophic incidents in the future.
As rescue teams continue to identify the victims and aid the injured, the Jaisalmer tragedy stands as a grim reminder of the urgent need for stronger road safety laws and accountability in India’s transport sector.
