JAIPUR: A devastating collision between an LPG tanker and a truck on the Jaipur-Ajmer National Highway near Bhankrota in Rajasthan early Friday morning triggered a series of explosions, killing 12 people, critically injuring 33, and leaving over 40 vehicles charred.
The tragedy unfolded on an 800-meter stretch of the highway around 5:45 AM, reducing cars, sleeper buses, and other vehicles to burnt shells. Among the missing are ten bus passengers and former IAS officer Karni Singh, said DCP (West) Amit Kumar.
Eyewitnesses reported that the Bharat Petroleum tanker was making a U-turn near the Delhi Public School junction when it was struck by a truck carrying linen at high speed. The impact ruptured the tanker’s nozzles, causing LPG to gush out and ignite a series of explosions.
Vehicles trailing the tanker and truck were engulfed in flames, leaving little time for occupants to escape. Despite the massive inferno, officials prevented the fire from spreading to nearby fuel stations, averting a larger disaster.
Victims and Rescue Efforts
Seven of the deceased were identified, including truck driver Shahbuddin (34) from Uttar Pradesh, and armed police constable Anita Meena (28). The tanker driver remained unaccounted for, with unconfirmed reports suggesting he may not have survived the blaze.
Among the critically injured, seven are on ventilator support at Jaipur’s SMS Hospital, including Yusuf (45) from Banswara and Vijeta (23).
Eyewitness Accounts and Emergency Response
CCTV footage showed massive explosions visible from kilometers away. Witnesses likened the release of gas to “water gushing from an overflowing dam.” A bus carrying 24 passengers and a truck loaded with matchboxes were among the vehicles destroyed.
Firefighters deployed over 25 fire engines, using foam and water to contain the blaze. The damaged tanker was removed, and remaining LPG was safely transferred to another vehicle.
Compensation and Investigations
Bharat Petroleum expressed condolences, offering ₹6 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹2 lakh to the injured. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ₹2 lakh ex gratia for the victims and ₹50,000 for the injured, while Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma pledged ₹5 lakh to the families of the deceased and ₹1 lakh to the injured.
A six-member committee has been formed to investigate the accident, per instructions from Transport Secretary Shuchi Tyagi. The Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety has also sought a report from the Rajasthan government, urging measures to enhance road safety.
