Bus Fire in Rajasthan Claims 20 Lives, Injures Dozens

A tragic bus fire in Rajasthan has resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals and left numerous others injured. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon while the bus was transporting over 50 passengers from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur. According to local officials, the fire broke out shortly after the bus departed around 3:00 PM (0930 GMT).

Senior police officer Rajesh Meena reported that 19 passengers died at the scene, with one additional victim succumbing to severe burn injuries en route to Jodhpur. Eyewitness accounts indicate that smoke was visible from the rear of the bus before it came to a halt on the highway. The driver managed to pull the vehicle over, but the flames spread rapidly, engulfing the bus almost immediately.

Local media, including the Press Trust of India, reported that a potential short circuit may have triggered the fire, although this has not been independently verified. The broadcaster NDTV cited unnamed police sources in relation to this claim.

Government Response and Support for Victims

In light of the incident, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his deep distress over the loss of life, offering condolences and prayers for the injured. He announced that the families of those who perished would receive 200,000 rupees (approximately £1,875) from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund, while the injured would be granted 50,000 rupees each.

India grapples with a high rate of road accidents, ranking among the most dangerous countries for road safety. In 2023, there were over 480,000 road accidents reported nationwide, resulting in approximately 173,000 deaths and nearly 463,000 injuries, as per the latest official statistics.

This devastating event highlights the ongoing challenges surrounding road safety in India and the urgent need for increased measures to protect passengers and prevent similar tragedies in the future.