Jaisalmer Bus Fire: 20 Passengers Burnt Alive, 16 Critical; Bodies Shifted To Jodhpur For DNA Profiling

Jaisalmer: Twenty passengers were burnt alive and 16 others were critically injured in Rajasthan when a private bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur suddenly went up in flames on Tuesday afternoon.

The bus (registration RJ 09PA8040) with 57 passengers aboard was minutes from starting its journey between the towns of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur when the fire broke out. The flames engulfed the bus in seconds, so much so that many passengers didn’t get time to deboard.

The bodies of 19 passengers were recovered from the bus, while one person succumbed to their burns on the way to a hospital, officials said.

What Exactly Happened

The incident occurred near Thaiyat village, about 20 kilometres from Jaisalmer, around 3.30 pm, causing chaos and panic on the busy route. The bus had left Jaisalmer at around 3 pm on board. Soon after crossing Thaiyat village, passengers noticed smoke from the rear portion of the vehicle. The flames spread within moments, engulfing the entire bus.

Many passengers rushed to the windows and doors in a desperate attempt to escape, while villagers and passersby immediately rushed to the scene and began rescue operations even before the arrival of emergency services. People used water from nearby sources and sand to douse the flames and pull out the trapped passengers.

Firefighters and police soon reached the spot and took the injured to Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer in three ambulances. Doctors at the hospital provided first aid, while those with severe burns were referred to Jodhpur for advanced treatment.

Army personnel from the nearby Army War Museum reached the spot to assist in rescue and relief efforts. The blaze was brought under control after an hour of struggle by firefighters. Officials said that the exact cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained, though preliminary reports suggest a possible short circuit or engine overheating. An investigation has been initiated by the police. District Collector Pratap Singh has directed the concerned officials to ensure immediate relief and medical care to the injured passengers.

DNA Sampling

Sources told ETV Bharat that the bodies of the 20 people were brought to Jodhpur's Mahatma Gandhi Hospital late Tuesday night for identification. The Jodhpur district administration has appealed to citizens to collect DNA samples from two of the closest relatives to identify those who are missing or untraceable in the fire accident.

For this purpose, special arrangements have been made in cottages 4 and 5 of Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Jodhpur, and in the trauma centre of Jawahar Hospital, Jaisalmer. District Collector Gaurav Agarwal stated that expert teams are coming to Jodhpur from Ajmer and Bikaner to expedite the DNA identification process.

Helpline Numbers

The kin of the people still missing can contact the helpline numbers given below for necessary assistance.

1. District Control Room, Jodhpur: 0291-2650349, 2650350
2. Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, Jodhpur: 09414159222
3. State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Jodhpur: 9414919021
4. Trauma Centre, Jawahar Hospital, Jaisalmer : 9460106451, 9636908033
5. Jaisalmer Helpline Number: 9414801400, 8003101400, 02992 252201, 02992 255055

The fire claimed the lives of 20 passengers, including 79-year-old Hussain Khan, who succumbed to injuries in Jodhpur. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma arrived in Jaisalmer late Tuesday night.

Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma inspecting the charred passenger bus on Tuesday, Oct. 14. (Chief Minister's office)

He inspected the bus destroyed in the accident in Jaisalmer and expressed his gratitude to all the army personnel and local citizens for their assistance and support during the accident. Pokaran MLA Pratap Puri and MLA Sang Singh Bhati, along with administrative officials, were present during the meeting. The CM will also visit Jodhpur to meet the injured who are being treated there, said officials.

Green Corridor Created For Transporting Injured

Fifteen passengers — including four women and two children— sustained serious burn injuries, with some suffering up to 70 per cent burns. They were initially rushed to Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer via three ambulances and later referred to Jodhpur for advanced treatment. A green corridor was created on National Highway 125 to facilitate the urgent transfer, with eight ambulances escorted by police.

Bus Was Purchased Recently

The bus involved in the accident was purchased only five days ago. Among the deceased was local journalist Rajendra Singh Chauhan, who was en route to Pokhran for a medical store inauguration along with Manoj Bhatia, a member of the Jaisalmer Chemist Association. Bhatia managed to escape with burn injuries, but Chauhan was reportedly trapped inside the burning bus.

District Collector Pratap Singh confirmed that the bus was completely gutted and many victims were burned beyond recognition. Forensic teams from Jodhpur arrived to aid in identification. Later, the remains of all 20 deceased were shifted to Jodhpur for DNA identification.

The Collector appealed to the families of the deceased to contact the helpline set up by the district administration. He added, “The identity of the deceased will be confirmed through DNA testing, similar to the protocol followed in the Ahmedabad plane crash. Only then will the bodies be handed over to their families.”

President, PM, And Others Express Condolences

President Droupadi Murmu said the loss of lives due to a fire in a bus in Rajasthan is extremely heartbreaking and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

"The news of the deaths of several people due to a fire in a bus in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured," Murmu said in a post on X in Hindi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing grief, announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh for the deceased and Rs. 50,000 for the injured, posting, "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 kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000".

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma expressed grief over the accident and spoke with the district collector and SP to instruct them to extend all possible assistance to the victims. "The incident of a bus catching fire in Jaisalmer is extremely heart-wrenching. I express deep condolences to the citizens affected by this tragic accident. Instructions have been given to the concerned authorities to ensure proper treatment for the injured and to provide all possible assistance to those affected," he shared on X.

"May Lord Shri Ram grant a place at His divine feet to the departed souls. The state government stands with the affected families and is committed to providing them with every possible support," the post reads further.

Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari shared her prayers for the injured on X. "The news of the horrific road accident caused by a fire in a private passenger bus in the Thiyaat area of Jaisalmer is extremely heartbreaking. I pray to God that all the passengers on the bus are safe and wish for the swift recovery of the injured," she posted on X.

Congress leader Sachin Pilot expressed concern over the incident. "Disturbing news has been received regarding the incident of a fire breaking out in a bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur. I pray to God for the swift recovery to good health of those who were burned and injured in this accident," he posted on X.

Former CM Ashok Gehlot also expressed condolences on the tragic accident. He said, "The loss of 20 lives due to a bus catching fire is heartbreaking. The news of this tragedy is deeply disturbing. I pray to God to grant peace to the departed souls and speedy recovery to the injured," he said. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has postponed his campaigning in Patna tomorrow due to the seriousness and tragedy of the incident.

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