Jaipur, December 20 – A catastrophic accident in Jaipur's Bhankrota area early Friday morning resulted in a devastating fire after an LPG tanker collided with a truck, engulfing over 30 vehicles in flames. The tragedy claimed the lives of eight people, including two children, and left 35 others injured, with many in critical condition, officials confirmed.
Prime Minister, President Condole Actions
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for each victim’s family and ₹50,000 for the injured from the PM's National Relief Fund. President Droupadi Murmu also extended her grief, praying for the victims and wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
Details of the Incident
The accident occurred around 5:45 AM on the Jaipur-Ajmer National Highway when a speeding truck rammed into the LPG tanker near Bhankrota. The collision caused the tanker's valve to break, leading to a massive gas leak and a subsequent explosion that engulfed the surrounding vehicles, including two buses and over 29 trucks.
Video footage from the scene showed people fleeing for their lives, with some attempting to extinguish flames on their burning clothes. The fire was so intense that it turned the highway into a raging inferno, with smoke visible from over a kilometer away.
Casualties and Injuries
Medical officials reported eight deaths due to severe burns and suffocation from the dense smoke, which transformed the area into a "gas chamber." Thirty-five injured individuals, some critically burned, are receiving treatment at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital, where additional wards have been opened to handle the emergency.
Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar confirmed that nearly half of the injured are on ventilators. “The situation is critical, and all medical personnel have been mobilized to provide urgent care,” he said.
Rescue and Relief Efforts
More than 25 ambulances rushed to the scene, transporting victims to nearby hospitals. The fire brigade, initially unable to access the burning vehicles, eventually brought the blaze under control after several hours. Three petrol pumps in the vicinity narrowly escaped damage.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the site and later met the injured at SMS Hospital. He assured the public of a thorough investigation and promised strict measures to prevent such incidents in the future. “This is an unimaginable tragedy. We are taking all necessary steps to support the victims and their families,” he said.
Traffic Disruption and Environmental Impact
The fire severely impacted a 300-meter stretch of the highway, causing traffic congestion for hours. Witnesses reported burning debris scattered across the road, and the heat melted nearby factory pipes, causing further damage.
Environmental concerns were raised as several birds were found dead in the vicinity, and residents complained of irritation in their eyes and breathing difficulties due to the thick smoke.
Investigation Underway
Police Commissioner Biju George Joseph stated that preliminary investigations revealed the fire started due to a gas leak caused by the tanker's broken nozzle. Forensic experts have collected evidence, and a team from the Regional Transport Office is examining the vehicles involved.
Support and Helpline Numbers
The Jaipur administration has deployed a special team to assist families of the victims at SMS Hospital. Police have also set up a helpline to provide updates and support to those affected.
This tragic incident serves as a grim reminder of the critical need for stricter road safety measures and enhanced emergency response capabilities on India’s highways.
