A major accident occurred early Friday morning when a private passenger bus travelling from Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district to Ahmedabad caught fire near Dhanera in Gujarat. The incident happened around 3:30 am while the 16 passengers onboard were asleep.

According to preliminary reports, the fire is suspected to have been caused by a short circuit in the bus’s air-conditioning system. Within moments, the flames spread rapidly through the vehicle, turning it into a blazing inferno and leaving passengers little time to respond.

Most passengers managed to save themselves by breaking windows and jumping out of the bus. However, during the desperate escape, one passenger suffered severe burn injuries, while three others sustained minor burns.

The critically injured passenger was first taken to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment and later shifted to a better-equipped medical facility due to the seriousness of the burns. Doctors have said the passenger remains in critical condition. The other injured passengers received basic medical care.

Nirmal Raiyani, operator of Swagat Travels, said the bus service between Nachna and Ahmedabad had only started three to four days ago. He also revealed that the intense fire destroyed passengers’ luggage, documents and mobile phones, making it difficult to contact their family members.

After receiving information about the accident, the travel company immediately sent a team to the spot to assist passengers and help authorities. Police and local administration officials also reached the site, and a detailed investigation has been launched to determine the exact cause of the fire.