Tragic Jaisalmer-Jodhpur Bus Fire Prompts Call for Probe and Safety Checks

Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday urged the Rajasthan government to launch a thorough investigation following a tragic bus fire that resulted in 20 fatalities. The incident involved a bus traveling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur, which caught fire on Tuesday.

Jodhpur Police Commissioner Om Prakash Paswan reported that 16 injured individuals were brought to Jodhpur from Jaisalmer. Of these, 15 are receiving treatment at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital, while one person is being treated at Shri Ram Hospital.

According to Jaisalmer's Additional SP Kailash Dhan, the bus, which departed from Jaisalmer around 3 pm, suddenly ignited after smoke appeared from its rear near Thaiyat village. Local villagers and passersby were among the first responders, assisting rescue operations until the fire service arrived. Gehlot categorized the incident as 'tragic' and mentioned the necessity of an inquiry to identify any technical faults and to consider whether bus doors were automatically locked during the fire.

Gehlot highlighted the need for accountability, noting that the bus was acquired just 10 days prior, raising concerns about potential negligence. Authorities in the Jodhpur and Jaisalmer District Administrations have provided helpline numbers for public support, and Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the injured at Mahatma Gandhi Hospital.