Jaisalmer Bus Fire Tragedy: Bus Engulfed in Flames Ran 50 Meters — Passengers’ Heartbreaking Cries for Help
What began as a routine journey from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur on Tuesday afternoon turned into one of Rajasthan’s most horrifying tragedies. Around 3:30 PM, a private sleeper bus carrying 57 passengers caught fire near Thayat on the War Museum road, leaving at least 19 dead and over a dozen others battling severe burns. Witnesses described scenes of chaos, bravery, and unimaginable pain as flames consumed the moving vehicle within minutes.
Eyewitnesses said smoke first began rising from the rear of the bus, believed to be caused by a short circuit in the air-conditioning system. Within moments, the fire spread rapidly, transforming the luxury vehicle into a fireball. Panic-stricken passengers screamed for help as the bus, engulfed in flames, continued moving for nearly 50 meters before halting. Some passengers managed to break windows and jump to save their lives, suffering severe injuries in the process.
Local residents, passing motorists, and army personnel from a nearby military station rushed to the scene, risking their own lives to pull out victims. The army’s medical teams, along with local police and fire brigades, worked tirelessly to douse the blaze and rescue the injured. Despite their efforts, by the time the fire was controlled, the bus had turned to ashes, leaving behind twisted metal and heart-wrenching silence.
Jaisalmer Collector Pratap Singh confirmed that 16 severely burnt passengers were shifted from Jawahir Hospital to Jodhpur for advanced treatment. Among the injured are men, women, and children, many with burns covering 50 to 70 percent of their bodies. Families waited outside hospitals, desperately seeking updates on their loved ones. One father, his voice trembling, shared that he had spoken to his son just five minutes before the accident — now, the boy was missing.
The tragedy has cast a dark shadow over the festive season, turning Diwali celebrations into mourning across several villages. Rescue teams have been praised for their quick response, while the state government has ordered a detailed inquiry into the cause of the fire and safety lapses in private transport operations.
As Rajasthan grieves, the Jaisalmer bus fire stands as a grim reminder of the urgent need for stricter safety measures in passenger vehicles and better emergency response mechanisms on highways.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general guidance only and is not intended to serve as medical or emergency advice. While every effort has been made to verify the details from credible sources such as Rajasthan Patrika, Dainik Bhaskar, and News18 Rajasthan, readers are encouraged to follow official government and emergency service updates for the most accurate information.