In a horrific bus fire on Tuesday afternoon, 20 people were burnt alive when a private bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur in Rajasthan caught fire, police confirmed.
The bus, carrying 57 passengers, departed Jaisalmer around 3 pm. As it travelled along the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway, smoke began emanating from the rear portion. The driver stopped the vehicle, but within moments, flames engulfed the bus, leaving passengers with little chance to escape.
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Local residents and passers-by rushed to assist in rescue efforts, while fire engines and police teams were alerted to the scene. Preliminary investigations suggest the fire may have been caused by a short circuit, police said.
Adding to the tragedy, reports indicate that the bus had been purchased only five days ago, highlighting the heartbreaking irony of the accident.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma visited Jaisalmer late Tuesday night and personally inspected the burnt-out bus, according to officials from the Chief Minister’s office.
Fifteen passengers, including four women and two children, sustained serious burn injuries, with some suffering burns covering up to 70 per cent of their bodies. They were initially admitted to Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer and later referred to Jodhpur for advanced treatment.
Authorities are continuing investigations into the incident, and the state government has assured full support to victims and their families during this tragic time.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
