New Delhi, Oct. 14 -- 20 people have died after a fire engulfed a bus travelling from Rajasthan's Jaisalmer to Jodhpur.

The bus, carrying 57 passengers, left Jaisalmer at around 3 pm. On the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway, smoke began emerging from its rear portion. The driver stopped the bus along the roadside, but within moments, the flames engulfed the vehicle, PTI reported.

Locals and passers-by rushed to the spot to assist in rescue efforts. Fire tenders and police were informed, and injured passengers were taken to Jawahar Hospital in Jaisalmer for treatment.

16 critically injured passengers have been referred to a hospital in Jodhpur.

Prima facie, it appears that the fire broke out due to a short circuit, police told the publication...