NEW DELHI, Dec 20: At least 11 persons were killed and at least 40 others critically wounded in a massive fire that broke out following a series of truck collision outside a petrol pump in Jaipur, the state capital of Rajasthan, on Friday morning.
The police said the incident took place around 5:30 am on Ajmer Road when a CNG tanker parked near the petrol pump caught fire after a truck collided with other vehicles. According to officials, the death toll could rise as many of the people with burn injuries were stated to be critical. At least 28 victims are in a critical condition, officials said.
Efforts are still afoot to extinguish the fire which has engulfed several vehicles parked nearby. The victims were taken to a hospital and rescue operations are underway. The explosion was so intense that several vehicles within a 300-meter radius were engulfed and completely burned. Several drivers were reportedly burned in the incident, with some in critical condition. Visuals of the incident show a massive blaze and a cloud of black smoke above it – which can be seen from several kilometres away.
According to locals, the explosion was heard up to 10 kilometres away. Reportedly, there were also repeated explosions as many of the fuel tanks burst. Preliminary investigation revealed that the truck that hit the other vehicles was reportedly loaded with a chemical.
“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 said.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences on the loss of lives in the incident and announced a compensation of ₹ 2 lakh for the families of those killed. The injured persons will be given a compensation of ₹ 50,000.
“Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the accident on Jaipur-Ajmer highway in Rajasthan. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. The local administration is assisting those affected,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
President Droupadi Murmu said the loss of lives in the Jaipur fire accident was very painful and offered her condolences to the families of the victims. “The news of the death of many people due to a road accident in Jaipur is very painful. I pray to God for peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to their families! I pray that the injured get well soon,” she said.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has reached the hospital to meet the victims and expressed condolences on the loss of lives in the incident. “I am deeply saddened to hear the sad news of casualties of citizens in the gas tanker fire incident on Jaipur-Ajmer National Highway,” he said. His office in a statement said, “As soon as the information about the incident was received, the Chief Minister went to SMS Hospital and directed the doctors to provide immediate necessary medical facilities and take proper care of the injured. Rescue work by the administration is underway.”
“The local administration and emergency services are working with full readiness. I pray to God 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,” Mr Sharma said. The Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke with Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma to take stock of the incident. During the telephonic conversation, Mr Shah expressed concern over the fire incident.
(Manas Dasgupta)
