Tragedy struck the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway Tuesday afternoon when an AC sleeper bus caught fire, trapping at least 20 passengers inside as the doors automatically locked and flames engulfed the vehicle. Survivors recounted desperate attempts to break windows and escape the rapidly spreading inferno.
Onlookers described a scene of sheer terror as they witnessed the bus engulfed in fire. They reported seeing people, including children and the elderly, trapped within. “We could see people burning, but we couldn’t get to them,” a witness emotionally shared. Initial rescue efforts by locals managed to extract 16 individuals, but the full extent of the tragedy became clear as the death toll rose to 20.
The bus, carrying 57 passengers, was en route when the fire broke out around 3:30 pm. Passengers were seen leaping from the moving vehicle to escape the blaze. Critical rescue operations were delayed for nearly 50 minutes, until the Army arrived with specialized equipment to force open the jammed exit.
Local attempts to fight the fire with a water tanker were largely ineffective against the intense flames. Adding to the distress, fire services were reportedly absent from the scene for a considerable period.
Eyewitnesses stated that only 16 people were rescued, leaving around 40 passengers believed to have perished inside the burning bus. Families are experiencing immense grief and confusion, struggling to get concrete information about the incident and their relatives.
The bus, operated by KK Travels, had recently been converted into an AC sleeper and had only been in service for a short time. Investigations point towards a potential short circuit in the AC system as the cause. The bus’s design, featuring a fiber body, curtains, and a single exit, contributed to the rapid spread of fire and the entrapment of passengers.
Sixteen passengers with severe burns were transported to Jodhpur via a green corridor. Medical facilities in Jodhpur have been put on high alert to treat the injured, with the state Chief Minister personally overseeing the response and care for victims.
Authorities are investigating the incident, including dispatching forensic experts. Efforts are underway to identify the charred remains through DNA testing.