15 injured as Jaisalmer–Jodhpur bus catches fire, probe on

The incident took place near Thaiyat village, about 20 kilometres from Jaisalmer, around 3:30 p.m., triggering chaos on the busy route.

According to eyewitnesses, the bus had departed Jaisalmer at around 3 p.m. with 57 passengers on board.

Shortly after crossing Thaiyat, passengers noticed smoke rising from the rear of the vehicle. Within minutes, flames engulfed the entire bus.

Panic-stricken passengers scrambled to escape through windows and doors as the fire spread. Villagers and passersby rushed to the spot and began rescue efforts before emergency services arrived, using water from nearby sources and sand to control the flames.

The fire brigade and police reached the location soon after being alerted. Officials confirmed that 15 people sustained burn injuries, including several in critical condition.

The injured were taken to Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer in ambulances arranged by villagers and police.

Doctors provided first aid, and those with serious burns were later referred to Jodhpur for advanced treatment. Among the critically injured were Imamat (30) and her young son, both of whom were transferred to Jodhpur.

Army personnel from a nearby base also assisted in the rescue and firefighting efforts. The blaze was brought under control after nearly an hour of intense operation, reports said.

While the exact cause of the fire is yet to be established, preliminary reports suggest a possible short circuit or engine overheating. Police have launched an investigation into the incident.