Jaisalmer Tragedy: Six Dead, Many Injured as Bus Engulfed in Flames, Jammed Door Traps Victims

A pall of grief has descended upon Rajasthan following a catastrophic bus fire on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway that claimed the lives of six individuals and left several others injured. The private bus, en route from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer, erupted into an inferno near Pokaran, transforming a routine journey into a nightmarish tragedy.

The incident unfolded with terrifying speed.

Eyewitnesses described seeing the bus quickly engulfed in flames, leaving little time for passengers to react. Heartbreakingly, one of the primary factors contributing to the high casualty count was a reportedly jammed door, which sealed the fate of many inside. As the fire raged, passengers found themselves trapped, desperately scrambling for an escape that was tragically denied.

Initial reports had indicated a higher death toll of eight, but this was later revised to six confirmed fatalities – three women and three men.

The intensity of the blaze meant that the bodies were severely burnt, necessitating DNA verification for identification. This grim task underscores the brutal reality faced by families awaiting news of their loved ones.

Emergency services, including local police and administration officials, swiftly arrived at the scene.

They were met with a scene of utter devastation. Rescue efforts focused on extracting the injured and recovering the deceased. The injured passengers were rushed to Pokaran Hospital, where they are currently receiving treatment for their burns and other injuries.

The state government has taken serious note of the tragedy.

A high-level team from Jaipur has been dispatched to Jaisalmer to conduct a thorough investigation into the cause of the fire and the circumstances that led to such a profound loss of life. Questions surrounding the bus's maintenance, emergency exits, and safety protocols are expected to be at the forefront of this inquiry.

The community mourns the victims and hopes for swift justice and measures to prevent such horrors from recurring.