Jaisalmer/Jodhpur, 15 Oct

A jammed door in the AC sleeper bus that caught fire near Jaisalmer on Tuesday was the main reason for the high number of casualties, police said on Wednesday. 21 passengers were burnt alive, while 15 others sustained critical burn injuries after the private bus, travelling to Jodhpur, caught fire barely 10 minutes after leaving Jaisalmer.

Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma personally reviewed the rescue and medical response, describing the incident as “deeply tragic”. He directed authorities to ensure round-the-clock care for the injured and met families of the victims in Jodhpur.

Additional SP Kailash Dan said the bus door got locked due to the fire, preventing passengers from escaping. “Most of the bodies were found in the aisle, showing that people tried to escape but could not,” he said. Some passengers managed to flee by breaking windows, and water from a passing tanker was used to control the blaze.

Jaisalmer SP Abhishek Shivhare said 19 charred bodies were recovered and 16 critically injured people were rushed to Jodhpur. One passenger died en route. The bodies have been sent for DNA sampling and identification. Police are verifying the number of passengers and examining CCTV footage from the bus’ departure point and along the route.

Initial indications suggest a short circuit caused the fire, though officials are also probing other possibilities, including firecrackers on board. Eyewitnesses reported a loud blast from the rear of the bus, likely from the AC compressor, which intensified the blaze due to diesel, AC gas, and fibre interiors.

Authorities said the newly registered bus, on its fourth journey, had no emergency exit, no window hammers, and a narrow aisle that trapped passengers. Once the wiring caught fire, the automatic door-lock system activated. Several bodies were found piled on top of one another.

The injured include two children and four women, some with up to 70 per cent burns. Army personnel joined the rescue immediately, and the chief minister instructed officials to establish a green corridor to transfer the injured to Jodhpur. Families were provided with accommodation and support.

Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar described the bus as a “fireball” that gave passengers little time to react. Forensics and medical teams continue to monitor the site and provide care to the injured.