Trucks collide near Jaipur petrol pump: Massive fire kills 9, injures over 35

Jaipur: Nine people were burnt alive, and over 35 others were injured in a massive fire on the Jaipur-Ajmer National Highway on Friday morning. The blaze erupted after a truck carrying chemicals collided with several other vehicles, police reported. Approximately 30 trucks and other vehicles were destroyed in the fire, they added.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the SMS hospital, where the injured were admitted, and spoke to doctors. He issued directions to officials and doctors to ensure proper treatment and other arrangements. SHO of Bhankrota Manish Gupta said, "It was very difficult to control the fire. Fire brigade teams were not able to reach the burning vehicles. There were three petrol pumps in the affected area but fortunately, they are safe."

Sharma spoke to administration officials and doctors and issued directions to ensure proper treatment was facilitated. He also visited the accident site and spoke to police officials.

In a post in Hindi on X, the chief minister said, "Deeply saddened to hear the news of casualties in the gas tanker fire incident on the Jaipur-Ajmer National Highway. As soon as the information about the incident came, I went to the SMS Hospital and directed the doctors there to provide immediate necessary medical facilities and take proper care of the injured."

More than 25 ambulances reached the spot and shifted the victims to the hospital. A nearly 300-metre stretch of the highway was affected by the accident. Traffic movement was stopped, leading to a long queue of vehicles.

Health Minister Gajendra Singh Khimsar told reporters that nearly half of the injured brought to the hospital were in very critical condition. The health minister said a 'green corridor' has been set up from the accident site to the SMS hospital.

"All doctors, resident doctors and nursing staff were called in to manage the situation. Another ward has been opened so that patients can be accommodated. Some people got primary treatment in nearby hospitals," he said.

An official said a sleeper bus headed for Jaipur from Rajsamand was behind the gas tanker when the accident occurred. Efforts were underway to find the details about the passengers on board. The burnt vehicles are being removed from the highway so that traffic movement can be resumed. The station house officer of Bhankrota Manish Gupta said it was difficult to bring the fire under control initially.

"Fire brigade teams initially were unable to reach the vehicles that were burning. There are three petrol pumps in the area but fortunately, they are safe," he added.

Police officials said the fire engulfed some establishments along the highway but details of the actual losses are not yet clear. The school van driver told PTI that the flames were visible from a kilometre away and there was panic and chaos on the highway.

"As I got closer to the spot, I saw people running in haste and shouting for help. I saw a man engulfed in flames. It was a frightening scene. Fire brigades and ambulances were there but it was difficult for them to reach the spot initially," he said.

A team from the district administration is present at the hospital to help the family members of the victims. The Jaipur Police has issued the helpline numbers 9166347551, 8764688431 and 7300363636 for people to get in touch for inquiries or relevant information.