Overview

• Police confirmed the private bus was carrying 57 passengers when it caught fire minutes after a 3 pm departure near Thaiyat village by the Army station.
• Locals and Army personnel from the Battle Axe Division led rescues, but intense heat delayed recovery; charred remains are being identified through DNA testing with FSL teams on site.
• Officials are examining whether a failure in the air-conditioning or electrical system sparked the blaze, while reports of firecrackers in luggage are also under investigation.
• Witnesses and officials cited a jammed door, limited emergency exits and lack of fire safety equipment, and the bus’s recent AC conversion and operator compliance are under scrutiny.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ex-gratia payments of ₹2 lakh for each deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured, as 16 critically hurt passengers receive treatment in Jodhpur.