On Thursday morning, a terrible tragedy occurred in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan when a passenger bus caught fire, killing 21 people and injuring numerous others. According to preliminary reports from local authorities, the bus, which was allegedly on its way from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer, caught fire after colliding with a high-voltage wire close to the Palri area.
Incident Details
Around 7:30 a.m., the private bus carrying more than fifty people collided with an overhead power line, causing the accident. The car caught fire in a matter of seconds, trapping the occupants. According to witnesses, rescue efforts were very challenging until locals and police arrived at the scene because the fire spread so quickly.
After almost an hour of fierce work, firefighters who had hurried to the scene were able to put out the fire. While the injured were taken right away to the Jaisalmer District Hospital for immediate medical attention, rescue crews removed the burned bodies.
Police officials confirmed that the death toll has reached 21, including several women and children. The exact number of injured passengers is still being verified.
Government Response and Investigation
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident. “This is an extremely unfortunate accident. All possible assistance is being provided to the victims and their families,” he said.
The Rajasthan government has also announced ₹5 lakh compensation to the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured.
🇮🇳 PM Narendra Modi’s Condolence and Aid Announcement
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his condolences.
“Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the Jaisalmer bus fire. My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Prayers for the injured to recover soon,” PM Modi posted.
He also announced an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh each for the families of those who lost their lives and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Rajasthan Governor Kalraj Mishra also conveyed their condolences and assured full support to the state administration.
Eyewitness Accounts
Survivors described scenes of chaos and horror. “We heard a loud sound, and within seconds, the bus was on fire. People started screaming and rushing to get out,” said Rakesh Singh, one of the survivors. Local villagers helped break windows and rescue trapped passengers before the fire services arrived.
The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, but initial reports suggest a short circuit or contact with a high-voltage power line could have triggered the blaze.
Nation Mourns
Social media was flooded with condolences as political leaders, actors, and citizens across India expressed grief.
This tragic incident once again highlights the urgent need for better road safety and electrical line management in rural regions where buses frequently pass close to overhead wires.
As authorities continue their investigation, the nation stands united in mourning the lives lost in this devastating tragedy.
No comments:
Post a Comment