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Casualties: 11 dead, over 40 injured, with 25 admitted to the ICU.
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Vehicles Affected: Over 30 vehicles, including a sleeper bus, were gutted.
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Government Action: Chief Minister Sharma and Health Minister Khimsar visited the accident site and hospital, ensuring proper medical care and treatment.
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Emergency Helplines: Jaipur Police provided contact numbers for updates and assistance.
A devastating gas tanker crash on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway early Friday morning resulted in 11 fatalities and over 40 injuries, plunging the region into chaos. The tanker, carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), collided with multiple vehicles near a petrol pump, setting off a massive fire. The incident gutted more than 30 vehicles, including a sleeper bus, and thick black smoke filled the skies, visible from nearly a kilometer away.
CCTV footage and eyewitness videos revealed the horrifying aftermath, with flames raging and smoke billowing high. The highway’s traffic ground to a halt, and authorities scrambled to manage the rescue operations.
Incident Overview
The collision occurred at 5:30 AM, when a gas tanker carrying LPG rammed into several vehicles in front of a petrol pump, sparking a massive fire. CCTV footage and videos shared on social media platforms showed a horrifying scene of thick black smoke filling the sky, visible from a kilometer away. The intensity of the fire was so extreme that multiple explosions were heard from the vicinity, further fueling the blaze.
According to local reports, the explosion was audible up to 10 kilometers away, with several vehicles within a 300-meter radius completely engulfed in flames. Many victims, especially drivers and passengers, suffered severe burns, some of whom are in critical condition.
Rescue Operations Underway
As the flames raged on, emergency services were quick to respond. The authorities dispatched ambulances and fire department vehicles to the scene, racing to save lives. SMS Medical College, one of the nearest hospitals, became the focal point for the injured. According to Dr. Deepak Maheshwari, Principal of SMS Medical College, 25 people were admitted to the ICU, with more being brought in as rescue operations continued.
The Rajasthan Health Minister, Gajendra Singh Khimsar, reported that five ICU beds were still available, and plans were underway to set up an additional ward with 40 more beds for burn victims. The local authorities also ensured that resources were mobilized to support the rescue operations, with continuous efforts to pull out victims from the charred vehicles.
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Government and Official Reactions: Condolences and Assistance
The tragic event drew swift reactions from national and state leaders. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and announced a compensation of ₹2 lakh for the families of those killed and ₹50,000 for the injured.
President Droupadi Murmu also offered her condolences, stating that the news was "very painful" and prayed for peace for the departed souls. She further wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the SMS Hospital to personally oversee the relief efforts. In a post on X, he urged for immediate medical attention to the injured and expressed his grief over the lives lost. He assured the public that rescue work was being conducted with full urgency.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke with Chief Minister Sharma to discuss the incident, expressing concern and offering support for the ongoing rescue operations.
Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar confirmed that only five beds remained in the critical burn ward, prompting preparations for an additional 40-bed facility. The Jaipur Police established helpline numbers (9166347551, 8764688431, 7300363636) to assist with inquiries and provide updates on victims.
What Caused the Disaster?
Initial investigations revealed that the truck that caused the collision was loaded with a chemical, which may have contributed to the magnitude of the explosion. While the exact number of trucks involved remains unclear, the devastating impact of the crash led to widespread fires and fatalities. The authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the collision and the subsequent explosion that triggered the disaster.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Saksham Agrawal (Ground Reporter[Vygr])
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