Jaisalmer: Twenty people were burnt alive in a bus fire accident at 3 pm on Tuesday in Rajasthan. A private bus carrying 57 passengers from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur in Rajasthan suddenly caught fire on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway gutted the bus.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma arrived in Jaisalmer late Tuesday night and visited the incident spot. The CMO officials said that he also inspected the bus destroyed in the accident.

According to the police sources said that, four days ago a newly purchased private bus left Jaisalmer around 3 pm on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway, smoke began emerging from the rear portion. The driver stopped the bus along the roadside, but within moments the flames engulfed the vehicle.

Locals and passers-by rushed to the spot and assisted in the rescue efforts. Fire engines and police were informed. Prima facie, it appears that the fire broke out due to a short circuit, police said. In a tragic irony, the bus involved in the accident was reportedly purchased only five days ago.

Fifteen passengers including four women and two children sustained serious burn injuries, with some suffering up to 70% burns. They were initially rushed to Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer via three ambulances and later referred to Jodhpur for advanced treatment. The Jaisalmer district administration said it promptly began relief and rescue operations after receiving information about the accident.

District Collector Pratap Singh directed officials to ensure immediate medical care for the injured. Helpline numbers were also issued. A green corridor was created on National Highway 125 to facilitate the urgent transfer, with eight ambulances escorted by police. The District Collector confirmed that the bus was completely gutted and many victims were burned beyond recognition.

DNA and forensic teams from Jodhpur have arrived to aid in identification. The identity of the deceased will be confirmed through DNA testing, similar to the protocol followed in the Ahmedabad plane crash. Only then will the bodies be handed over to their families, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives.

PMO quoted in twitter x said that PM Modi expressed on the bus fire incident. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,. An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50K, he said.