A moving AC sleeper bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire near Thaiyat village in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan in India on Tuesday. In this tragic incident, as many as twenty passengers were killed and 16 were critically injured.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma also reached Jaisalmer and took stock of the situation. He also instructed the officials to ramp up the rescue operation. After reviewing the relief operations at the accident site, he will visit Jodhpur to meet the injured.

CM Sharma said, “The incident of a bus catching fire in Jaisalmer is extremely heart-wrenching. I express deep condolences to the people affected by this tragic accident. Instructions have been given to the concerned authorities to ensure proper treatment for the injured and to provide all possible assistance to those affected.”

In a statement, Jaisalmer District Collector Pratap Singh has expressed deep sorrow over the incident and directed concerned officials to ensure prompt relief measures and proper medical care for the injured. The injured passengers are being treated with urgency at Shri Jawahir Hospital, he added. The administration has also appealed to the public to contact for any information or assistance related to the incident.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Bagade, Former Chief Ashok Gehlot and Vasundhara Raje, BJP state president Madan Rathore and other leaders expressed sorrow over the tragic incident.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the tragic incident. "Distressed by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured," PM Modi was quoted as saying in an X post by the PMO. "An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000," he said.