Rajasthan, India – At least 20 people were killed in a fire that broke out on a bus while it was traveling in the western Indian state of Rajasthan.
The ill-fated bus was carrying more than 50 passengers between the cities of Jaisalmer and Jodhpur.
“19 passengers died on the bus, and another passenger died of burns on the way to Jodhpur”, said Rajesh Mina, a police official.
The Press Trust of India news agency reported this toll.
She pointed out that the bus driver noticed smoke rising from its back section and stopped it on the highway.
But she was soon consumed by fire.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his “shock at the loss of human life”.
He stressed that the government will provide compensation to the families of the victims in the amount of 200,000 rupees (more than $2,200) for each victim.
It is noteworthy that India, the world’s most populous country, is famous for its disastrous record in the field of traffic safety.
According to the latest available data, in 2023, more than 480,000 accidents were recorded on Indian roads, resulting in the deaths of approximately 173,000 people and the injury of approximately 463,000 others.
