India: At least 20 dead in Rajasthan bus fire

Jaisalmer, Rajasthan — October 15, 2025: A devastating fire engulfed a passenger bus in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district on Tuesday afternoon, killing at least 20 people and injuring 16 others. The incident occurred near Thaiyat village on the Jaisalmer–Jodhpur Highway, close to a military station.

The private AC sleeper bus was carrying 57 passengers en route to Jodhpur when thick smoke began billowing from the rear of the vehicle around 3:30 PM. Eyewitnesses reported that the fire spread rapidly, trapping many inside before the driver could bring the bus to a halt.

🔥 Suspected Cause: Short Circuit and Firecrackers
Initial investigations suggest that a short circuit may have triggered the blaze, possibly exacerbated by the illegal transport of firecrackers stored onboard. The flames consumed the bus within minutes, leaving little time for escape.
Local villagers and passersby rushed to help, risking their lives to pull victims from the burning vehicle. Despite their heroic efforts, the fire was too intense for many to survive.

🚑 Emergency Response
The injured were taken to Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer, while those with severe burns were transferred to Jodhpur for advanced treatment. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma visited the site and met with survivors, promising a full investigation and compensation for victims’ families.

🕯️ National Mourning
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy. “My thoughts are with the bereaved families. We must ensure such incidents never happen again,” Modi said in a statement.

Authorities have launched a formal probe into the cause of the fire and the bus operator’s compliance with safety regulations.