Jaisalmer-Rajasthan Bus Fire: 21 Dead, Officials Suspended Over Safety Lapses

A devastating bus fire near Thaiyat village in Rajasthan on October 14, 2025, claimed 21 lives and injured 16 others. The private sleeper bus, traveling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur, caught fire reportedly due to a short circuit in its AC system, which triggered an explosion that ignited diesel and gas inside the vehicle. Investigations revealed that the bus had been illegally modified from non-AC to AC, violating the Bus Body Code, and critically, it had only one narrow door that jammed during the fire, trapping passengers. Many victims were unable to escape, while some survived by breaking windows and jumping out. The deceased ranged in age from 8 to 79 years, with several bodies charred beyond recognition, necessitating DNA testing for identification.

In response, the Rajasthan government suspended two DTO officials from Chittorgarh - Acting DTO Surendra Singh and Assistant Administrative Officer Chunni Lal - for allegedly approving the unsafe bus design. An FIR has been filed against the bus owner and driver for negligence. Additionally, the state has launched a special safety inspection campaign for passenger buses, issuing new guidelines such as mandatory emergency hammers on AC buses and stricter bus safety inspections. The Chief Minister and other officials visited the site to oversee rescue operations and express condolences to the victims' families.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and announced ex-gratia compensation of Rs 2 lakh for each deceased family and Rs 50,000 for the injured, to be provided from the PM Relief Fund. Local Army personnel and villagers played a vital role in rescuing survivors. The ongoing investigation focuses on the fire's cause, illegal bus modifications, and safety violations.

The incident has sparked public outrage over preventable lapses in transport safety, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of safety measures for commercial vehicles across Rajasthan. This tragedy underscores significant gaps in transport compliance, leading to severe loss of life and urgent government action to prevent similar incidents in the future.