20 dead, 16 injured as bus catches fire in Jaisalmer, PM Modi expresses grief

Twenty passengers were burnt alive and 16 were critically injured when a private bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire on Tuesday police said reported the PTIAccording to police the bus carrying 57 passengers left Jaisalmer around 3 pmOn the JaisalmerJodhpur highway smoke began emerging from the rear portion of the bus The driver stopped the bus along the roadside but within moments the flames engulfed the vehicle Locals and passersby rushed to the spot and assisted in the rescue efforts Army personnel also assisted in the operation the officials said according to the PTIFire tenders and police were informed and the injured passengers were taken to Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer for treatmentFollowing the incident PM Modi expressed grief and announced that an exgratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceasedIn a post on X the PMO wrote 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 An exgratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased The injured would be given Rs 50000Distressed 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 injuredAn exgratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next ofhellipmdash PMO India PMOIndia October 14 2025Police said that at least 16 critically injured passengershave been referred to a hospital in JodhpurPrima facie it appears that the fire broke out due to a short circuit police saidBJP MLA from Pokran Pratap Puri informed PTI about the death toll of 20 passengersHe said 19 passengers died in the bus and one succumbed to burn injuries on the way to Jodhpur as per the PTIHe said that the bus caught fire ten minutes after leaving JaisalmerFollowing the accident the district administration has issued an appeal for information to the kin of the victims to ascertain their identity The bodies will be handed over to family members after DNA matching officials saidUpon receiving information regarding the incident Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma reached Jaisalmer and was briefed by the officersThe Jaisalmer district administration said it promptly began relief and rescue operations after receiving information about the incidentDistrict Collector Pratap Singh directed officials to ensure immediate medical care for the injured Helpline numbers were also issuedMeanwhile Governor Haribhau Bagade Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma former chief minister Ashok Gehlot BJP state president Madan Rathore and other leaders expressed sorrow over the tragic incidentThe chief minister said instructions have been issued to ensure proper medical treatment for the injured and all possible assistance to the affectedThe incident of a bus catching fire in Jaisalmer is extremely heartwrenching I express deep condolences to those affected by this tragic accident Directions have been given to concerned officials for the proper treatment of the injured and to extend every possible help to the victims Sharma posted on XFormer chief minister Ashok Gehlot also expressed grief and said that the death of 20 people was unfortunatewith PTI inputs