JAIPUR: Five people were killed and more than 35 others injured when a chemical-laden truck collided with other vehicles and caught fire near a petrol pump on the Jaipur-Ajmer highway early Friday morning, police said. The incident occurred in the Bhankrota area.
Initial reports suggest that the truck, which was carrying chemicals, collided with other trucks, sparking a fire. Video footage from the scene showed thick plumes of smoke rising from the vehicles engulfed in flames.
“The fire spread to several trucks, though the exact number involved is unclear. Some individuals with burn injuries have been taken to hospitals,” said Manish Gupta, Station House Officer (SHO) of Bhankrota, according to PTI.
A nearly 300-meter stretch of the highway was affected, halting traffic and causing a long line of vehicles. Authorities managed to open a traffic corridor to transport the injured to SMS Hospital.
Jaipur District Magistrate Jitendra Soni confirmed that around 40 vehicles were caught in the blaze, though he noted that most of the fire was under control.
SHO Manish Gupta explained the difficulty in controlling the fire, as fire brigade teams initially struggled to reach the burning vehicles. Despite the presence of three petrol pumps in the area, fortunately, they remained unharmed.
Over 25 ambulances were dispatched to the site to transport the injured to nearby hospitals.
Union Home Minister and Rajasthan CM Respond
Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the hospital where the injured were being treated. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke with CM Sharma to gather information about the incident.
“About 24-25 people have been admitted to the ICU, and more are arriving. It is a severe accident,” said Dr. Deepak Maheshwari, Principal of SMS Medical College.
In a post on X, CM Sharma expressed his condolences: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the gas tanker fire on the Jaipur-Ajmer National Highway. Upon learning of the incident, I went to SMS Hospital and instructed the doctors to provide immediate medical care to the injured. Rescue efforts continue, and local administration and emergency services are fully mobilized.”
He added, “I pray for the souls of the departed, that they find peace, and for the families of the victims to have the strength to bear this immense loss. I also wish for the speedy recovery of the injured.”
Another Fire in Jaipur
In a separate incident, a large fire broke out at a market in the MI Road area of Jaipur on Wednesday evening, destroying three shops. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported.
Hawa Singh, SHO of Jalupura Police Station, said the fire started at around 8:15 pm. Locals alerted authorities, and fire services quickly brought the blaze under control.
“I was patrolling when a local informed me about the fire at a shop in the car market. I immediately notified the control room, and the fire brigade arrived. The fire was extinguished within an hour. Three shops were damaged, but there were no injuries, and the full extent of the damage is still being assessed,” Singh said.
