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In a heartbreaking incident highlighting the dangers of unsafe power lines in rural India, a private bus caught fire after it hit a hanging 11kV high-tension wire in Jaipur’s Manoharpur area on October 28, 2025, killing two laborers and leaving 12 others with serious burns. The accident occurred on a narrow, unpaved road near Todi village, highlighting serious safety lapses in the infrastructure amid the growing security lapses of migrant labourers.

The bus carrying more than 20 laborers from Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh to a local brick kiln was loaded with gas cylinders and household items on its roof – a common practice on such long journeys. While traveling through rough terrain at about 10 a.m., the rooftop cargo plane collided with a dangerously low hanging power wire, causing a severe electric shock. The 11,000 volt electric shock killed the passengers instantly, ignited the flammable materials and engulfed the carriage in flames. Some workers escaped safely by jumping from the bus, but the fire spread rapidly and the interior was reduced to ashes.

Eyewitnesses reported a “loud spark” followed by screaming and acrid smoke in the air. The victims included a father-daughter duo named Naseem (50) and Sahinam (20), who were the worst affected. Confirming the cause, Jaipur Superintendent of Police (Rural), Rashi Dogra Dudi, said: “The combination of hanging wires and items placed on the roof proved fatal. Fire engines extinguished the fire within 30 minutes, but before that, irreparable damage had been done.”

The rescue operation became easy due to the quick response of Manoharpur police and local people. The injured were first taken to Shahpura sub-district hospital for emergency care, where five patients with severe burns were taken to SMS Hospital in Jaipur for advanced treatment, including skin grafts and ventilator support. Initial reports suggest most people suffered second- and third-degree burns, and some had long-term mobility issues.

The electrical fire in the bus is another serious chapter in Rajasthan’s road safety problems, reminiscent of recent incidents like the Kurnool sleeper coach fire on October 24, which claimed 19 lives. Former chief minister Ashok Gehlot mourned the loss on social media and urged tightening of power line rules: “Immediate accountability is needed for such preventable tragedies.” Jaipur Rural officials have initiated an investigation under IPC sections for negligence, vowed to inspect the rural power grid and enforce weight limits of vehicles.

As families mourn, calls are growing for better migrant transport safety measures and higher wires in industrial areas. Rajasthan’s transport minister has promised compensation and a safety audit. This emerging story reminds us: A loose thread can ruin a life. Stay tuned for updates on the identification of the victims and findings of the investigation.