Jaisalmer, October 14 (Udaipur Kiran): A major tragedy struck in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, on Tuesday afternoon when a moving AC sleeper bus caught fire on the Jaisalmer–Jodhpur Highway, leaving more than 15 people feared dead. The incident occurred near Thaiyat village around 3:30 PM, reportedly due to a short circuit.

According to officials, the bus had 57 passengers on board. The fire spread rapidly, forcing several passengers to jump out of the moving vehicle to save their lives. At least 16 people, including two children and four women, sustained serious burn injuries.

The injured were rushed to Jawahir Hospital in Jaisalmer in three ambulances and were later referred to Jodhpur for advanced treatment. Most of the victims have suffered up to 70% burn injuries, officials said.

Assistant Fire Officer Krishna Pal Singh Rathore stated that 10–12 passengers are suspected to have died, though eyewitnesses and fire officials fear the toll may exceed 15.

Collector Pratap Singh confirmed that the entire bus was reduced to ashes, and the vehicle remains too hot for rescue teams to recover the bodies.

“The bus has completely burned down. Even after four hours, its body remains extremely hot, and the bodies inside cannot be retrieved yet,” the Collector said.

The incident took place about 20 km from Jaisalmer, when smoke started rising from the rear section of the bus. Within minutes, the flames engulfed the vehicle completely. Local villagers and passersby rushed to the spot and began rescue operations before police and fire tenders arrived.

Thick smoke and high flames were visible from a distance as the firefighting teams struggled for hours to control the blaze.