At least 20 people lost their lives after a bus carrying over 50 passengers burst into flames in the western Indian state of Rajasthan on Tuesday. The vehicle was traveling between Jaisalmer and Jodhpur when smoke began to emerge from the rear, quickly turning into a massive blaze that engulfed the entire bus within minutes.
“Nineteen passengers died inside the bus, and one more succumbed to severe burns on the road in Jodhpur,” said police officer Rajesh Meena to AFP.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and announced compensation of up to 200,000 rupees (around €1,940) for the families of the victims.
Road safety in India remains a major concern, with alarming statistics highlighting the country’s ongoing crisis. According to 2023 data, India recorded over 480,000 road accidents, resulting in around 173,000 deaths and 463,000 injuries.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the fire, as public outrage grows over the country’s poor transport safety standards.
