— Fifth major bus accident in India within 15 days
Jaipur, Rajasthan:
In a tragic incident on Tuesday morning, a bus carrying migrant labourers came in contact with a high-tension power line near Manoharpur, about 50 kilometers from Jaipur city. The bus caught fire immediately after the electric shock, and the LPG cylinders kept on the roof exploded.
The accident claimed the lives of three passengers, all residents of Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, while more than ten others sustained severe burn injuries.
The Incident
According to Jaipur Collector Jitendra Soni, the bus was transporting 65 labourers to a brick kiln located in Todi village. Just 300 meters before reaching the site, the bus accidentally touched an overhead high-tension power line. The contact resulted in an instant electric current passing through the vehicle, igniting a massive fire.
Eyewitnesses said that the blaze spread rapidly, and the situation worsened when one of the LPG cylinders on the roof exploded.
“There were a series of loud explosions after the fire broke out,” a local villager said. “People inside screamed for help while others rushed to rescue them.”
Firefighting and Rescue Operations
Locals immediately informed authorities, and multiple fire brigades from nearby areas rushed to the spot. By the time they arrived, the entire bus was engulfed in flames.
Residents used buckets and water hoses to control the fire before emergency teams took charge.
The injured were first taken to a nearby hospital, and later five critically burned victims were referred to Jaipur’s SMS Hospital, where a team of doctors from the burn unit and trauma departments is treating them under special care.
The Victims
The deceased have been identified as:
Naseem (50), son of Ali Hussain
Saheenam (20), daughter of Naseem
The third victim is yet to be identified.
All the victims were migrant labourers from Pilibhit district (Uttar Pradesh) who had recently arrived in Rajasthan for seasonal work at the brick kilns.
Eyewitness Accounts and Local Anger
Villagers who witnessed the fire said it took just a few minutes for the entire bus to turn into a fireball.
One resident recalled:
“We tried to break the bus windows to rescue those trapped inside. The screams were terrifying. If fire services had arrived a few minutes earlier, more lives could have been saved.”
Locals also expressed anger toward the administration:
“We have repeatedly requested officials to relocate these low-hanging high-tension wires. But no one paid attention. Today, people have died because of that negligence.”
A Case of Negligence?
The area is home to several brick kilns and migrant settlements. High-tension power lines pass directly over the road that buses and trucks frequently use. Despite repeated warnings from residents, no preventive action was taken by the electricity department or district authorities.
Experts say such overhead power lines should maintain a minimum clearance height, but in many rural regions, these standards are often ignored — creating deadly traps for large vehicles.
A Disturbing Pattern: 5 Major Bus Accidents in 15 Days
India has witnessed five major bus accidents in just the last two weeks, killing dozens of passengers across multiple states.
DateLocationDescriptionCasualtiesOct 14Jaisalmer–Jodhpur Highway, RajasthanFire in a moving AC sleeper bus27 deadOct 24Kurnool, Andhra PradeshBus caught fire after hitting a motorcycle20 deadOct 25Ashoknagar, Madhya PradeshBus fire; passengers escaped after breaking windowsNo deathsOct 26Agra–Lucknow Expressway, Uttar PradeshTyre burst led to fire in a moving busAll 70 passengers safeOct 28Manoharpur, Jaipur, RajasthanBus touched high-tension wire; LPG cylinders exploded3 dead, 10 injured
These recurring incidents highlight systemic failures in vehicle safety checks, infrastructure maintenance, and emergency response.
Medical and Administrative Response
Collector Jitendra Soni confirmed that relief and rescue operations were completed swiftly and that compensation will be provided to the victims’ families by the state government.
The SMS Hospital administration stated that all burn victims are being treated free of cost, and special medical teams remain on high alert.
⚡ Accountability and Next Steps
Following the tragedy, questions are being raised about accountability within the power and transport departments.
Experts suggest:
Regular inspection of power line clearance near highways.
Mandatory safety checks for buses carrying hazardous materials like LPG cylinders.
Strict enforcement of transport and labour safety norms.
Until such measures are implemented, road and electrical safety in India will remain dangerously fragile.
Conclusion
The Jaipur bus fire is not merely an accident — it is a grim reminder of how administrative negligence and infrastructural failures cost innocent lives.
Three migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh lost their lives just because a high-tension wire was left hanging too low. The tragedy underscores an urgent need for systemic reform, preventive maintenance, and accountability at every level.
Until authorities act decisively, India’s roads — and the lives that travel on them — will continue to burn under the weight of preventable tragedies.
