2 burnt to death, dozen injured in Jaipur-Delhi highway bus fire

In yet another bus fire, at least 2 daily wage labourers were charred to death and around a dozen sustained injuries when the vehicle they were travelling in caught fire after accidentally hitting a live high tension wire near Manoharpura-Shahpur on the Jaipur Delhi Highway Tuesday.

The private sleeper coach, coming from Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh, was carrying groups of daily wagers working at brick kilns at various places, including in Shahpura-Manoharpur. While heading towards Manoharpur, about 55 kms from here, the bus accidentally hit a loose hanging live wire, triggering the fire, Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, who holds the Transport Portfolio, said.

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The fire created panic among passengers in the overcrowded bus as some of them jumped off through windows. While most of the injured sustained burns, some others suffered injuries due to electric current.

The injured were rushed to the Shahpura Government Hospital from where six injured, including 4 women and one child, were referred to the SMS Hospital here.

According to eyewitnesses and passengers, the bus was carrying 50-60 passengers, mostly daily wage labourers from Pilibhit, Bareilly and some other places. Most of the passengers were travelling with families and household luggage, including items like LPG cylinders and stoves.

Some of the LPG cylinders were loaded on the rooftop of the bus along with other luggage. While contacting the live wire, the rain-soaked luggage led to an electric current that in turn broke out the fire.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, who is in Kolkata to host the Non Resident Rajasthani (NRR) investors meet, has been in constant touch with the officials engaged in rescue and relief operations in Jaipur and Manoharpur.

Sharma expressed grief and sorrow for loss of human lives and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He directed the officials to ensure the best medical care and treatment to the injured.

A comprehensive high-level inquiry in the cause and circumstances of the mishap is being held. The FSL team has already reached the accident site to collect evidence.

Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot also condoled the deaths of passengers in the bus mishap and prayed for early recovery of the injured.

Earlier, a speeding AC sleeper coach had caught fire during its journey from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur on October 14, leaving 27 people dead.

On October 24, 19 people were killed after a Bengaluru-bound private luxury bus from Hyderabad caught fire following a collision with a two-wheeler near Chinna Tekur village of Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh.