JAIPUR: Eight pilgrims traveling to the Maha Kumbh lost their lives, and six others sustained serious injuries in a tragic road accident on National Highway-48 in Dudu near Jaipur on Thursday afternoon. The victims, en route from Bhilwara for a holy bath, were killed instantly when their journey was cut short by the fatal crash.
The deceased have been identified as Dinesh Kumar Regar, Bablu Mewada, Kishan, Ravikant, Babu Regar, and Narayan—all from Bhilwara—while one victim remains unidentified.
Eyewitnesses reported that a roadways bus lost control after a tyre burst, veered off its lane, crossed the divider, and crashed head-on into a van carrying the pilgrims. The impact crushed the van, killing all its occupants on the spot.
Officials confirmed that the victims belonged to the same family and were traveling towards Jaipur, while the bus was heading to Ajmer. The bus driver and four passengers sustained severe injuries and were rushed to the hospital with police assistance. The collision caused a major traffic jam on NH-48, which was later cleared after authorities removed the wreckage.
ADM Dudu Gopal Parihar and Naib Tehsildar arrived at the scene to assess the situation.
Expressing grief over the tragedy, Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari posted on social media platform X: “Heart-wrenching news of many citizens losing their lives in the horrific road accident in Dudu, Jaipur. May God grant peace to the departed souls and strength to their families in this time of immense grief. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
