20 killed as Raj bus catches fire

An AC sleeper bus carrying 57 passengers caught fire on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway on Tuesday, killing at least 20 people and leaving 15 others injured, many critically with burns of up to 70%.

- Mukesh Mathrani and Jagdish Goswami

Nineteen passengers died on the spot near Thaiyat village in Jaisalmer district, while one succumbed to injuries en route to Jodhpur, officials said.

Among the injured are two children and four women.

Pokaran MLA Pratap Puri confirmed the death toll and said a short circuit in the air conditioning unit was the suspected cause. “Prima facie, a short circuit led to the incident. A detailed probe has been ordered,” he said, adding that victims would be identified through DNA testing as many bodies remain unrecognisable.

The private bus (registration number RJO9 PA8040) departed from Jaisalmer around 3pm and had covered about 20 kilo-