Six people were charred to death after a massive fire erupted following a collision between a truck and the tanker carrying LPG on the Jaipur-Ajmer Highway. At least 40 people in the vicinity were injured. The cause of the accident is not known as of now. Several other passenger vehicles near the site also caught fire.
The Indian Express quoted the Station House Officer (SHO) of Bhankrota Manish Gupta as saying: "It is not clear how the accident happened as there wasn't enough light in the morning. We are yet to talk to the witnesses. A lot of people were injured and were shifted to SMS Hospital. Further details will be clear in a while."
Around 40 vehicles caught the fire. Fire brigade and ambulances have reached the spot. The relief work is underway.
The incident occurred around 5:30 AM near Pushparaj Petrol Pump in Bhankrota on Ajmer Road and caused widespread panic among the people around the area. The truck is said to have been carrying chemicals, which increased the radius of the fire. Over 30 ambulances and fire engines are at the spot trying to douse the fire. The gas from the LPG tanker and chemicals on the truck is making the job difficult for the rescuers.
The incident occurred in front of a petrol pump on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway. The traffic on the stretch of the highway was suspended.
"The fire has engulfed several trucks. The number of trucks involved in the incident is not clear. Some people with burn injuries have been rushed to hospitals in ambulances," Station House Officer (SHO), Bhankrota, Manish Gupta told PTI.
Immediately after the accident, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma posted on X: "I am deeply saddened to hear the sad news of casualties in the gas tanker fire incident on the Jaipur-Ajmer National Highway. As soon as the information about the incident was received, I went to SMS Hospital and directed the doctors to provide immediate necessary medical facilities and take proper care of the injured."
He also said the rescue work by the administration and emergency services is going on at the spot.
"I pray to the Lord to grant the departed souls a place in his supreme abode, give the bereaved families strength to bear this immense loss and provide speedy recovery to the injured," CM Sharma said.