Jaipur: 9 killed, 35 injured in fire after gas tanker collides with multiple vehicles

A deadly collision involving a gas tanker and multiple vehicles turned a stretch of the Jaipur-Ajmer highway in Jaipur into an inferno on Friday (December 20) morning, killing nine people, injuring more than 35 and engulfing over 30 vehicles in flames as thick black smoke filled the sky.

Eyewitnesses reported spotting the flames from nearly a kilometre away as ambulances and fire brigade vehicles rushed towards the crash zone.

A school van driver on his way to pick up students recounted with horror the sight of a man engulfed in flames.

CCTV footage showed fire engulfing a residence, likely near the highway, causing a lot of destruction to the property. Other visuals showed smoke filling in a street, followed by a blast and fire.

A nearly 300-metre-long stretch of the highway was affected by the accident, leading to a long queue of vehicles.

Ambulances and fire department vehicles rushed to the accident spot. However bystanders said it took a long time to put out the fire.

Meanwhile, efforts are underway to ascertain details of passengers on board a bus that behind the gas tanker when the accident occurred. Damage caused by the fire to the establishments along the highway is also being determined.

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Rajasthan health department officials told PTI that seven people died in the crash while more than 35 were injured.

Police said there are chances that some people could not get out of their vehicles and got burnt inside. The situation will become clear once all the vehicles are thoroughly checked, they said.

Rajasthan CM, Health Minister rush to hospital

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar rushed to the SMS Hospital, where the injured were admitted. Sharma spoke to administration officials and doctors and issued directions to ensure proper treatment was facilitated. He also visited the accident site and spoke to police officials.

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In a post in Hindi on X, the chief minister said, "Deeply saddened to hear the news of casualties in the gas tanker fire incident on the Jaipur-Ajmer National Highway. As soon as the information about the incident came, I went to the SMS Hospital and directed the doctors there to provide immediate necessary medical facilities and take proper care of the injured."

Jaipur Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph and other officials of the department were at the spot on the highway.

‘Green corridor’ set up from accident site to hospital

Khimsar told reporters that nearly half of the injured brought to the hospital were in very critical condition.

"All doctors, resident doctors, and nursing staff were called in to manage the situation. Another ward has been opened so that patients can be accommodated. Some people got primary treatment in nearby hospitals," he said.

The health minister said a 'green corridor' has been set up from the accident site to the SMS hospital.

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An official said a sleeper bus headed for Jaipur from Rajsamand was behind the gas tanker when the accident occurred. Efforts were underway to find the details about the passengers on board.

The burnt vehicles are being removed from the highway so that traffic movement can be resumed.

CM Sharma, Governor Haribhau Bagade, and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot expressed their condolences for the loss of lives in the crash.

Difficult to bring fire under control: Bhankrota SHO

The station house officer of Bhankrota Manish Gupta said it was difficult to bring the fire under control initially.

"Fire brigade teams initially were unable to reach the vehicles that were burning. There are three petrol pumps in the area but fortunately, they are safe," he added.

More than 25 ambulances were used to shift the victims to the hospital.

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Police officials said the fire engulfed some establishments along the highway but details of the actual losses are not yet clear.

The school van driver told PTI that the flames were visible from a kilometre away and there was panic and chaos on the highway.

"As I got closer to the spot, I saw people running in haste and shouting for help. I saw a man engulfed in flames. It was a frightening scene. Fire brigades and ambulances were there but it was difficult for them to reach the spot initially," he said.

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A team from the district administration is present at the hospital to help the family members of the victims.

Eyewitness account

A man who was travelling from Rajsamand to Jaipur said that the bus stopped suddenly at around 5.30 am after the sound of a massive blast rocked the place.

“There was fire everywhere around the bus," he said, adding that they broke open the window as the door of the bus was locked, to save their lives. “Along with us, around 7-8 more people jumped from the window. There were continuous blasts one after the other. There was a petrol pump nearby," he said.

The Jaipur Police has issued the helpline numbers 9166347551, 8764688431 and 7300363636 for people to get in touch for inquiries or relevant information.

(With inputs from agencies)