Bus catches fire, Jaisalmer: 20 passengers are killed in the tragedy

PM Modi announced an ex gratia payment for the kin of the victims in the bus fire incident in Jaisalmer, which was carrying 57 passengers.

A horrific incident has made the headlines, involving a bus catching fire in Jaisalmer that carried 57 passengers. 20 out of them thus far are reportedly dead, and 16 are critically injured, as per the police.

Heartbreaking bus fire incident in Jaisalmer.

The incident happened in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on Tuesday, October 14. The bus was travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur and caught fire near Thaiyat village in Jaisalmer district. As per reports, at least 20 passengers were burnt alive, and 16 were critically injured in the tragic incident, according to the police. It appears that a fire broke out due to a short circuit, according to the police. As per the news agency PTI, smoke started billowing from the back of the bus on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway. The driver pulled over, but soon flames covered the entire bus. Locals and passers-by rushed to the spot and assisted in the rescue efforts. Army personnel also assisted in the rescue operation.

PM Modi announced ex gratia for the kin of the victims.

Prime Minister NarendraModi expressed grief following the incident and announced an ex gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the kin of the deceased victims. President DroupadiMurmu also grieved the loss of lives in the fire, and called the incident “extremely heartbreaking.” President Murmu wrote on X, “The news of the deaths of several people due to a fire in a bus in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”