Tragic Jaisalmer Bus Fire Leaves Over a Dozen Dead, Several Injured in Rajasthan

Jaisalmer | Rajasthan — In a horrifying incident, a moving AC sleeper bus caught fire near Thaiyat village in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, around 3:30 pm on Tuesday. The sudden blaze turned the vehicle into a fireball within minutes, forcing terrified passengers to jump out of the moving bus in a desperate attempt to save their lives.

The Jaisalmer bus fire has claimed multiple lives and left several others critically injured. According to early estimates, over 12 people are feared dead, and 16 passengers, including two children and four women, sustained severe burns. Many of the injured were rushed to Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer and later referred to Jodhpur for advanced treatment.

Fire spreads rapidly in moving bus

Officials said there were 57 passengers aboard the ill-fated vehicle. Assistant Fire Officer Krishnapal Singh Rathod of the Municipal Council confirmed that most of the injured sustained up to 70 percent burns. He added that 10–12 passengers are suspected to have died due to the intense flames that engulfed the bus.

“The cause of the fire is suspected to be a short circuit,” Rathod said, adding that the heat from the vehicle is so extreme that rescuers are struggling to retrieve the bodies. Eyewitnesses and firefighters fear that the death toll could exceed 15, as several passengers remain unaccounted for.

Collector confirms extensive damage and injuries

Collector Pratap Singh of Jaisalmer stated that the bus was completely gutted in the fire, leaving behind only its charred remains. “Sixteen people have been injured and referred to Jodhpur. The bodies of other passengers are still inside the bus,” he said.

Rescue operations were hampered due to the intense heat and thick smoke, but local villagers and passersby from nearby areas reached the spot within minutes to assist in relief efforts.

Locals rush to help as rescue teams arrive

The bus had departed from Jaisalmer for Jodhpur at around 3 pm as part of its routine service. Roughly 20 km from Jaisalmer, smoke began emanating from the rear of the vehicle. Within minutes, flames engulfed the entire bus, trapping dozens of passengers inside.

Upon receiving information, fire department teams and police personnel reached the scene. Three ambulances were deployed to ferry the injured to Jawahar Hospital, while relief and identification work continues late into the night.