Jaipur: A devastating LPG tanker-truck accident on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway early Friday morning has claimed the lives of 11 people, with at least 37 others injured, some critically.
The tragic incident unfolded around 5:30 AM in the Bhankrota area when an LPG tanker collided with another vehicle, sparking a massive fire. Eyewitnesses and CCTV footage revealed a horrifying scene as the flames spread rapidly, engulfing nearby properties and even a residential building. Thick smoke filled the streets, and multiple explosions followed, reportedly heard up to 10 kilometers away.
In a particularly grim development, a sleeper bus carrying 34 passengers was also caught in the blaze. Of the passengers aboard, 20 are confirmed to have perished in the fire. Fourteen others, including the bus driver and conductor, are still missing. The intense heat from the explosion was so severe that even birds in the area were reportedly burned.
According to witnesses, the LPG tanker, which was traveling from Ajmer to Jaipur, was attempting a U-turn in front of the DPS school in Bhankrota when a truck from Jaipur collided with the gas tanker’s nozzle. The impact caused a massive release of LPG gas, spreading across a 200-meter radius, creating a gas chamber. Moments later, an enormous explosion rocked the area, setting nearby vehicles, including the bus and several other cars, ablaze.
The fire’s severity was so intense that ambulances and fire department teams, who rushed to the scene, faced immense challenges in controlling the flames. At least 30 vehicles, including private cars and public transport, were damaged by the fire.
Local authorities confirmed that a crude oil pipeline located about 100 meters from the accident site remained unaffected and is safe. However, the fire and explosion left extensive damage in its wake.
In response to the tragedy, Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the hospital where the injured are being treated. Expressing his condolences, he said on social media, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the gas tanker fire incident on the Jaipur-Ajmer National Highway.” He assured the public that rescue operations are ongoing and that emergency services are on high alert.
The search for the missing passengers continues, as officials from the bus company work to locate them.
