JAIPUR/AJMER: Six pilgrims were charred to death and more than 30 others sustained burns after their bus came in contact with a high-tension live wire in Jalore district late Saturday while returning from Nakodaji temple.
A preliminary investigation indicated that the bus conductor went up to the roof during the journey when he came in contact with the live wire, which led to the passing of current into the bus near Jalore’s Maheshpura area. Among the deceased were three women from Beawar — including a mother and daughter — and an equal number of men from Ajmer. Their bodies were taken to their native places on Sunday.
On Friday evening, two buses from Beawar left for the Jain shrine. One of the buses took the highway route but the driver of the ill-fated bus, who was following the digital map, lost its way and got into single road areas of the rural pockets in Jalore. “Since high vehicles don’t pass through these areas, the height of electrical wires are lower compared to those passing through national and state highways,” said a cop.
On spotting an obstacle on the path, the conductor went to the roof which led to the electrocution.