Jaisalmer, Oct 14 (PTI) Twenty people were burnt alive and 16 were critically injured in Rajasthan when a private bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur suddenly went up in flames on Tuesday afternoon, police said.

President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President C P Radhakrishnan condoled the loss of lives in the incident. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the deaths and announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased.

Rajasthan Police said the bus, carrying 57 passengers, left Jaisalmer around 3 pm. While it was traversing the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway, smoke began emanating from the vehicle's rear portion.

Noticing it, the driver stopped the bus, but it got engulfed in flames within moments.

Locals and passers-by rushed to the spot and assisted i

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