In a devastating incident that has left the nation in shock, a private passenger bus traveling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur in the Indian state of Rajasthan caught fire on October 14, 2025, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 people and critically injuring at least 16 others. The tragedy unfolded just minutes after the bus began its journey, with the flames rapidly engulfing the vehicle and trapping many passengers inside.
The bus, which was carrying 57 passengers according to police reports cited by The Tribune and other news outlets, departed from Jaisalmer around 3 p.m. on Tuesday. Barely ten minutes into the journey, as the vehicle made its way along the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway, smoke began to emerge from the rear portion of the bus. Eyewitnesses and officials agree that the situation escalated with terrifying speed. "Passengers didn’t get time to deboard the bus as the fire spread quickly," local lawmaker Mahant Pratap Puri told The Associated Press.
The driver, realizing the severity of the situation, immediately stopped the bus near a military station in the Thaiyat area. However, within moments, flames engulfed the entire vehicle, leaving little time for those trapped inside to escape. The bus, according to Puri, was new and equipped with air-conditioning, but had only one door for entry and exit. This design flaw proved fatal for those seated at the rear, who were unable to make it to the exit before being overtaken by the fire.
Rescue operations commenced swiftly. Firefighters, Army personnel stationed nearby, locals, and passersby rushed to the scene to help. Their prompt response, as reported by The Tribune and Hindustan Times, was instrumental in preventing the blaze from spreading further. Despite their efforts, the bus was completely charred by the time the fire was brought under control.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but initial reports from police and district authorities suggest that a short circuit in the bus’s electrical system may have been the trigger. Some sources have also indicated that the illegal transport of firecrackers inside the air-conditioned bus could have exacerbated the situation, with the short circuit possibly igniting the firecrackers and intensifying the blaze.
As the scale of the tragedy became clear, the district administration launched immediate relief and rescue operations. District Collector Pratap Singh expressed deep sorrow over the incident and directed officials to ensure that the injured received urgent medical care at Shri Jawahir Hospital in Jaisalmer. Sixteen of the most critically injured passengers were later referred to a hospital in Jodhpur for further treatment.
In the aftermath, the local government issued an appeal for relatives of the victims to come forward to help identify the deceased. Given the extent of the burns, authorities announced plans to use DNA testing to confirm the identities before handing over the remains to family members. Helpline numbers were circulated to assist those seeking information about their loved ones.
India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his grief over the loss of life in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) and shared by the Prime Minister’s Office. "Distressed by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured," Modi said. He also announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund to the next of kin of each deceased, and Rs 50,000 for each of the injured.
Rajasthan’s Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma also responded swiftly to the tragedy. Calling the incident "extremely heartbreaking," Sharma expressed his condolences to the affected families and assured them of the state government’s full support. "The incident of bus fire in Jaisalmer is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deep condolences to the citizens affected by this tragic accident. Instructions have been given to the concerned officials to provide proper treatment to the injured and all possible assistance to the affected. May Lord Shri Ram give place to the departed souls at his feet. The state government is with the affected families and is committed to providing them all possible support," Sharma posted on X. He later traveled to Jaisalmer to oversee the relief operations personally and planned to visit Jodhpur to meet with the injured survivors.
Other political leaders, including Rajasthan’s Governor Haribhau Bagade, former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, and BJP state president Madan Rathore, also expressed their sorrow and solidarity with the victims. Gehlot called the death of 20 people "unfortunate," while the district administration reiterated its commitment to supporting the affected families and ensuring proper medical treatment for those injured.
As the community grapples with the aftermath, the incident has raised serious questions about passenger safety standards on Indian highways. The fact that the bus had only one door—a design still common in many Indian buses—has drawn criticism from safety advocates and the public alike. The lack of multiple exits significantly hampered evacuation efforts, especially for those seated at the back, who were unable to escape the rapidly spreading flames. Local lawmaker Mahant Pratap Puri emphasized this point, stating, "It was a new bus with full load of air-conditioning gas. There was just one door for entry and exit. Unfortunately, the passengers seated on the rear end couldn’t make it to the exit and were burnt alive."
While initial reports suggest a short circuit as the likely cause, authorities are also investigating whether the illegal transport of firecrackers played a role in the disaster. The presence of such hazardous materials on a passenger bus, if confirmed, would constitute a serious violation of safety regulations and could lead to criminal charges against those responsible.
The tragedy has underscored the urgent need for stricter enforcement of safety standards in public transportation across India. Experts and activists have long called for mandatory multiple exits on passenger buses, regular maintenance checks, and stronger oversight to prevent the illegal transport of dangerous goods. For the families affected by this disaster, however, such reforms will come too late.
As rescue and identification efforts continue, the nation mourns the loss of twenty lives in an accident that, by many accounts, could have been prevented. The swift response of emergency services and the outpouring of support from leaders and the public offer some solace, but the scars left by this tragedy will not soon fade.
