Jaisalmer bus fire kills 20, leaves 16 critically injured
Jaisalmer bus blaze kills 20, leaves 16 critical
Firefighters and police rushed to the scene, taking injured passengers to Jaisalmer’s Jawahar Hospital for urgent medical care.
Jaisalmer Bus Fire Claims 20 Lives, 16 Critically Injured; Short Circuit Suspected
Jaisalmer, October 15, 2025 — A tragic accident on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway left 20 passengers dead and 16 critically injured when a private bus caught fire on Tuesday, police confirmed. The incident has shocked the local community and drawn national attention, with authorities and families scrambling to respond to the devastating loss.
According to police, the bus, carrying 57 passengers, departed from Jaisalmer around 3 pm. Within ten minutes of leaving the city, smoke began emerging from the rear portion of the vehicle. The driver immediately pulled over to the roadside, but despite his quick action, the fire rapidly engulfed the bus, leaving passengers trapped inside.
Locals and passers-by were among the first to respond, bravely rushing to assist those still inside the burning vehicle. Army personnel soon joined the rescue operation, while fire tenders and police worked tirelessly to control the blaze. The critically injured passengers were transported to Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer, with 16 later referred to a hospital in Jodhpur for specialized care.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the fire may have been caused by a short circuit, police officials said. While the exact cause is still being verified, authorities are continuing to gather evidence and ensure the scene is thoroughly examined.
BJP MLA from Pokran, Pratap Puri, provided details about the toll, confirming that 19 passengers died on the bus, and one more succumbed to burn injuries en route to Jodhpur. The horrifying event unfolded mere minutes after the bus had left Jaisalmer, highlighting how sudden and devastating such accidents can be.
In the aftermath, the district administration has launched an urgent appeal to the public, seeking information from the kin of the victims to accurately establish their identities. Officials confirmed that the bodies will be handed over to family members only after DNA matching, underscoring the care being taken to ensure proper identification.
Upon learning of the tragedy, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma rushed to Jaisalmer, receiving briefings from local officials and supervising relief and rescue measures. Sharma expressed his condolences to the families and promised that the government would provide all necessary support to the victims and their families.
Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot also conveyed his grief over the incident, describing the death of 20 people as “unfortunate” and urging immediate measures to ensure the safety of road travelers.
The incident has cast a somber mood over Jaisalmer, a city known for its desert landscapes and historic forts. Residents are mourning the loss of lives while also reflecting on the bravery of those who rushed to help during the fire. Eyewitness accounts describe scenes of chaos and heroism, with strangers risking their own safety to pull passengers from the flames.
Authorities have assured that a thorough investigation will follow and that steps will be taken to prevent such tragedies in the future. Meanwhile, relief operations continue, and hospitals in Jaisalmer and Jodhpur are treating the injured, many of whom remain in critical condition.
The Jaisalmer bus fire serves as a tragic reminder of how swiftly accidents can turn fatal, leaving families grieving and communities in shock. As officials work to provide support and clarity, the city and the nation mourn the loss of 20 lives lost in a matter of minutes on what should have been a routine journey.