NEW DELHI: Two people were killed and over a dozen others injured when a bus carrying labourers caught fire after coming into contact with a high-tension power line in Todi village, under Manoharpur police station limits in Jaipur district, on Tuesday morning.The bus was on its way to Delhi when it brushed against a live electric wire on the Jaipur–Delhi highway, sparking a massive blaze that engulfed the vehicle within moments.As per news agency PTI, the bus was passing from an internal ‘kaccha’ road near a village when the incident occurred. After touching a live electricity wire, the bus caught fire, which was later doused, Superintendent of Police, Jaipur (Rural), Rashi Dogra Dudi said. Passersby and locals rushed to help, pulling out several passengers before fire tenders reached the scene.The injured were shifted to Shahpura Sub-District Hospital.The incident comes barely five days after another horrific bus fire on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru highway, which claimed 19 lives, raising serious concerns over recurring passenger vehicle accidents and fire safety lapses on Indian highways.Reacting to the incident, chief minister Bhajanlal Sharma said the deaths in the Manoharpur bus accident were “extremely tragic” and directed officials to ensure the injured receive immediate and adequate medical treatment.“The loss of lives in the bus accident at Manoharpur in Jaipur is extremely tragic. The concerned officials have been directed to ensure proper treatment for the injured. I pray to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed souls and a speedy recovery to those injured.”
Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot expressed anguish and questioned the state’s rising number of road mishaps.“The news of two deaths and several injuries after a bus carrying labourers caught fire in Manoharpur, Jaipur, is extremely saddening,” Gehlot said in X post.
“The frequency of such accidents in Rajasthan, where innocent people are losing their lives, is worrying. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”(With agency inputs)
