Jaisalmer Bus Fire Accident: Jaisalmer Bus Fire Kills 20, Victim’s Father Shares Horror

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🔥 Jaisalmer Bus Fire Tragedy: Victims’ Families Share Horror as Over 30 Injured in Fatal Accident

Jodhpur, India – A tragic bus fire accident near Jaisalmer has sent shockwaves across Rajasthan, leaving the community reeling from grief and demanding accountability. While reports initially indicated 20 fatalities, the immediate aftermath revealed a frantic race against time to save more than 30 critically injured passengers, whose families are now struggling to piece together the horrifying events.

The victims, many of whom sustained severe burn injuries, were immediately referred to major hospitals in Jodhpur, including MDM (Mathura Das Mathur Hospital) and MGH (Mahatma Gandhi Hospital), highlighting the severity of the disaster.

The Desperate Race to Jodhpur

For the families of the victims, the moments following the news were a blur of panic and a desperate dash across the desert roads to meet the incoming ambulances.

Abdul Aziz, a relative of one of the critically injured, described the agonizing wait and the vital support received from authorities. His own brother, Ubaidullah, a technician with the CAZRI Department (Central Arid Zone Research Institute), was onboard the bus traveling from Jaisalmer to Pokhran.

“I got the information through the phone,” Mr. Aziz recounted, his voice laced with the trauma of the night. “My brother himself called and told me he was involved in an accident. I was told they had stabilized him and referred him from Pokhran to Jodhpur.”

The family’s immediate focus shifted to ensuring continuous care during the long ambulance transfer. Mr. Aziz expressed gratitude toward the police and hospital administration for their rapid response:

“I must thank the police administration; they immediately arranged an escort for the ambulances to rush them from Pokhran. There were about 32 patients in critical condition, and about 15 ambulances were dispatched from there.”

He detailed the necessity of intervention during the transport itself: “The arrangements for every patient were good. Even in between the journey, whenever we asked them to stop because a patient needed a specific medicine, we arranged for it in places like Balotra and Desu. I was with the ambulance all the way here [Jodhpur].”

Mr. Aziz confirmed that his relative, Ubaidullah, suffered approximately 50% burn injuries.

Grief, Disbelief, and Demands for Justice

Amidst the chaos and medical urgency, other relatives voiced their profound anger and disappointment, pointing the finger directly at the negligence of the bus operators.

Renu, whose nephew Ashish was a victim, spoke with raw emotion, her voice quivering with frustration at the lack of clear information.

“I have been distressed for two hours now. I have to do something about this; I have to take action. I cannot let this go,” she declared.

Her focus quickly turned to the broader issue of bus safety and the responsibility of the transport company.

“I want to say that this is the fault of the bus operators,” Renu insisted. “The bus operators should take responsibility when they are using a vehicle. Not everything should be sold for money. They charge so much in fares, but what did they provide to the passengers?”

Renu highlighted the communication breakdown in the aftermath: “We received the sudden news that an accident happened and he was referred from Jaisalmer. The local hospital people contacted us, but the situation is unclear. First, they said they were coming to MDM; then, they said MGH. The actual situation is not clear. The administration isn’t telling us how many are admitted or where they are. We are just waiting for them to arrive so we can see our child.”

The Lingering Questions on Safety

The Jaisalmer bus tragedy raises deeply troubling questions about adherence to safety standards, vehicle maintenance, and driver training across commercial bus operations in the region. Witnesses and family accounts suggest fundamental failures contributed to the fire’s rapid spread and the ensuing high number of injuries.

Vehicle Maintenance: Were the buses adequately maintained, particularly regarding their electrical systems, which are often cited as a cause of vehicle fires?
Emergency Preparedness: Were there accessible and functioning fire extinguishers on board? Were emergency exits unobstructed, and were passengers aware of how to use them? The high number of serious burn injuries suggests emergency response within the bus was severely lacking.
Operator Accountability: The demand by family members like Renu for accountability underscores a widespread public frustration with transport companies that prioritize profit over passenger safety, often using overcrowded or poorly maintained vehicles on long-distance routes.

The immediate priority for the administration remains providing the highest level of care for the injured. Medical teams in Jodhpur are working tirelessly to treat the patients, many of whom have life-threatening injuries. The psychological trauma for the survivors and their families is immense, adding another layer of long-term suffering to the physical wounds.

The state government is expected to launch a full-scale investigation into the causes of the fire and the operational oversight of the bus company involved. However, for the grieving families waiting outside hospital wards, justice can only be served through systemic changes that prevent another such tragedy from shattering lives.

The loss of life and the critical injuries sustained are a devastating reminder of the fragility of safety on India’s roads and the courage of families who must navigate unimaginable horror in the wake of such a disaster.

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